Saturday, August 10, 2013

We speak in the name of Jesus


We speak in the name of Jesus
the Messiah, the One foretold
you killed our Savior,
so you could hold onto power
You are evil, walking here below
you have received your reward
the measure of worldly power
God will settle the scales
when He returns from glory


Edited August 10, 2013
“We speak in the name of Jesus”
Edited August 10, 2013
“By what power or what name did you do this – v3”
Edited August 10, 2013
“By what power or what name did you do this – v2”
April 23, 2012
“By what power or what name did you do this”
Acts 4:7
Acts 4:5-12
Year B
Psalm 118:22
Upper Room Disciplines for 2012
April 23, 2012 to April 29, 2012
“Because You Asked”
by Pat Edmonds
scripture and meditation for April 23, 2012
read April 23, 2012

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 24,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

it can’t be done – v2


The world so cynical
clay, seeing the ground
depressed, despondent
failure looking within
we can solve our problems
Saying it can’t be done
limited, no vision
probably true alone
but God says come to me
I will make you my own
Watch me, I will guide
nothing impossible for me
Come, into communion
walk before me, walk by my side
my hand to guide you
able to do more
than we would ever imagine
following the will of God
where the Spirit leads us


Edited August 10, 2013
“It can’t be done – v2”
March 15, 2012
“It can’t be done”
Worship Theme: promises with a price. . .
Mark 8:31-38
Genesis 17:1-10
Romans 4:16-25
Mark 8:29
Matthew 11:28
John 3:16
Call to Worship (Psalm 105:1-3)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD Mark 8:31-38)
The Great Thanksgiving for Early in Lent
and sermon, “The Foolishness of God”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Second Sunday in Lent
March 4, 2012

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 26,920+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

By what power or what name did you do this – v3


The leaders, the people
challenging Peter
the first of the disciples
wanting to know how he raised him
by what power, what name
how he healed the cripple
how he could dance about
“By what power or what name did you do this?”
They never should have asked

We speak in the name of Jesus
the Messiah, the One foretold
you killed our Savior,
so you could hold onto power
You are evil, walking here below
you have received your reward
the measure of worldly power
God will settle the scales
when He returns from glory


Edited August 10, 2013
“By what power or what name did you do this – v3”
Edited August 10, 2013
“By what power or what name did you do this – v2”
April 23, 2012
“By what power or what name did you do this”
Acts 4:7
Acts 4:5-12
Year B
Psalm 118:22
Upper Room Disciplines for 2012
April 23, 2012 to April 29, 2012
“Because You Asked”
by Pat Edmonds
scripture and meditation for April 23, 2012
read April 23, 2012

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 24,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

wanting to pull the strands – v4


wanting to pull the strands
the web that holds them captive
all those held by the lies
to unravel the garish tapestry
to bring down the edifice
toppled by its weight
to cry out for justice
sending tremors across
the silken web, the fiction
the lie they perpetuate
that there is equality
an equal voice, justice
to speak truth of what was done
to expose the hidden evil
the pain that they caused
not caring what the consequence
knowing we all were held in the web
speaking out, sending ripples
wherever they are led


Edited August 10, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands – v4”
Edited August 10, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands – v3”
Edited August 6, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands – v2”
Edited August 6, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands”
August 6, 2013
“Held in the web”
Jeremiah’s Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
presentation:
“The Power of Making Good Choices”
1.      Reduces Chaos in your life
·        King David and his children
-          Amnon
-          Tamar
-          Absalom
-          King David
2. Allows more control of your environment
·        Rahab
·        Eli and his sons
·        Korah
3. You can decide to affect change
·        Saul/ Paul
by Lois Flewelling
from Empowering Life Ministries
&
Music by
Chuck Loucka
and Chris Loucka
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 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 24,370+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

wanting to pull the strands – v3


wanting to pull the strands
to unravel the garish tapestry
to bring down the edifice
to cry out for justice
sending tremors across
the silken web, the fiction
the lie they perpetuate
that there is equality
an equal voice, justice
to speak truth of what was done
to expose the hidden evil
the pain that they caused
not caring what the consequence
knowing we all were held in the web
speaking out, sending ripples
wherever we are led


Edited August 10, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands – v3”
Edited August 6, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands – v2”
Edited August 6, 2013
“wanting to pull the strands”
August 6, 2013
“Held in the web”
Jeremiah’s Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
presentation:
“The Power of Making Good Choices”
1.      Reduces Chaos in your life
·        King David and his children
-          Amnon
-          Tamar
-          Absalom
-          King David
2. Allows more control of your environment
·        Rahab
·        Eli and his sons
·        Korah
3. You can decide to affect change
·        Saul/ Paul
by Lois Flewelling
from Empowering Life Ministries
&
Music by
Chuck Loucka
and Chris Loucka
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 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 24,370+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

conjuring demons


making a giant edifice
more than what is needed
argument on argument
layered reason
conjuring demons
from a minor infraction
a twist of a lip, a twitch
a sudden change of inflection


Edited August 10, 2013
“conjuring demons”
Edited August 10, 2013
“seeing demons”
August 10, 2013
Shadows that aren’t there – v2”
Shadows that aren’t there”
Jeremiah’s Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
presentation:
“The Power of Making Good Choices”
1.      Reduces Chaos in your life
·        King David and his children
-          Amnon
-          Tamar
-          Absalom
-          King David
2. Allows more control of your environment
·        Rahab
·        Eli and his sons
·        Korah
3. You can decide to affect change
·        Saul/ Paul
by Lois Flewelling
from Empowering Life Ministries
&
Music by
Chuck Loucka
and Chris Loucka
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 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 24,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

If we were honest – v2


If we were true to our faith
if we were honest
consistent, justice
freedom for all
not an illusion, a lie
our hope would be in action
not just a dream
seeking justice, consistent
all would be free


Edited August 6, 2013
“If we were honest”
Edited August 6, 2013
“If we were Christians – v2”
February 20, 2011
“If we were Christians”
Matthew 5:38-48 (The Message Bible)
Love Your Enemies
Psalm 119:33-40 (God’s Word Translation)
Leviticus 19:9-18 (The Message Bible)
Psalm 25:8-10 (God’s Word Translation)(Call to Worship)
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (New Living Translation)
Prayer of Adoration (UMBOW #461)
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD)
James 4:8 (“Just a Closer Walk with Thee (The Faith We Sing #2158)
Luke 2:29 (“Go Now in Peace”, UMH #665)
Worship Theme: “God’s law versus Human Law”
and sermon, “Mercy versus Retribution”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 20, 2011
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, etc.
and
especially the resignation of Hosni Mubarak
February 11, 2011
&
and the jubilance in Tahrir Square
versus the bloodshed in Bahrain and Libya, etc.
February 18, 2011
&
hearing claim by President Obama 2/15/2011
in a news conference that when history books tell it
we will be seen as being on the right side of history
in how the United States responded
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
“Our Revolution was like Wikipedia”
February 14, 2011
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
 “This is Revolution 2.0: No one was a hero because everyone was a hero.
February 13, 2011
and see
A Prayer for the People of Egypt (February 3, 2011)
by Safiyah Fosua
&
Matthew 5:21-37 (Common English Bible)
Law of murder
Law of adultery
Law of Divorce
Law of Oaths
Matthew 5:17 (Common English Bible)
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 18:1-3, 46 (God’s Word Translation) (Call to Worship)
Prayer of Invocation
Prayer of Dedication
Exodus 16:13-15, Psalm 34:8, John 4:10, 1 Corinthians 5:8
(Centering Hymn: “All Who Hunger”, The Faith We Sing #2126)
Romans 14:7
(Lord, Speak To Me”, United Methodist Hymnal #463)
Acts 2:42
(“Let Us Break Bread Together”, United Methodist Hymnal #618)
Isaiah 55:1, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 11:28
(“You Who Are Thirsty”, The Faith We Sing #2132)
1 John 1:7
(“Trust and Obey”, United Methodist Hymnal #467)
Worship Theme: “God gives life . . . sin gives death”
and sermon, “A Life or Death Situation
(Aka . . . A fine line between Heaven and Hell)”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 13, 2011
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
&
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


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 26,970+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

With Hope, With Love – v2


Maybe the time now, today
to stand for the hopes of the people
that change would truly come
to balance the scales of justice
that more of our people
would share the same dreams
that the divide of the haves and have nots
would fall from the scene

With hope, with love
peaceful protest rising, impatient
claiming a chance to dream, to see
a future for our children
opportunity for the many
not wealth in but a few hands
sowing seeds of protest
in this troubled land

Acting as the Christ did
truly loving our neighbor
understanding all too well, ourselves
that the powerful want to hold onto power
yet not giving in to their greed
to their injustice, tolerance
marking this time to stand to speak
to stand with our neighbors

Doing the right, because we can
in this time, in this place
lovingly, shining the light
carrying the cross of Jesus
hope into the darkness, this world
healing the breach caused by man
going as servant, throughout this land
truly doing all that we can


Edited August 10, 2013
“With Hope, With Love – v2”
October 20, 2011
With Hope, With Love”
written about the Occupy Wall Street movement,
after reading earlier poem,
“With Love, Not with Hate”
before posting it to www.faithwriters.com
October 20, 2011
&
&
Worship Theme: “Intentional Faith Development”
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message Bible)
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 103:1-5 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer:
“Loving God, we thank you for this day. Thank you for
your Word that guides and sustains us. As we hear
your Word may we rejoice in your loving-kindness and goodness;
may we draw ever closer to you.
We pray for eyes to see you in the world,
ears to hear your whisper on the wind, and a heart that is
moldable in your hands. All this we pray in the
name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
and sermon,
“Equipped for the Journey”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 16, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Third of Six part sermon series on
“Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”
and the book by the same name, by Robert Schnase,
http://methodistthinker.com/2009/01/14/bishop-robert-schnase-on-the-five-practices/, bishop of the Missouri Area of the United Methodist Church
&
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
==============
With Love, Not with Hate

Righting injustices
standing up when opportunity calls
doing what is right
with love, not hate
this we honor, on this day
the man, the dream, the cause

Acting as the Christ did as he,
Healing the sick on the sabbath;
marching in the face of injunctions
understanding the wrath of power
doing the right thing
no matter the cost to them

Doing the right,
lovingly, shining the light
hope into the darkness
healing the breach caused by man
going a servant, bearing the cross
doing all that he could


January 19, 2010
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for January 18, 2010 to January 24, 2010
by Nancy Fergusons (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for January 18, 2010, on Martin Luther King, Jr.


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 27,420+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

For the praise of His glory – v2


our lives for a purpose
not random chance
exalting our Savior
for the praise of His glory
raised from the earth
raised from the dead
our lives to witness
God’s love, His mercy
praising our Savior
the gift of His love

------
Edited August 10, 2013
“For the praise of His glory – v2”
July 18, 2012
“For the praise of His glory”
further poems in this series:
“to glorify Christ”

“I have eternal life”

“The victory of Jesus”

“For the praise of His glory”

“Celebrate Jesus”

-----
July 17, 2012
series of poems around the reading on July 14 (see below) on the idea that our salvation isn’t about us being saved, not really. It gives a strong indictment of the way we keep using I statements to talk about salvation – me, my, I. Our salvation is more about what we do with that joy, that healing, that spark of God that is now within us. How do we live differently? How do we tell others? We are saved for a purpose, to move from being seeds to fruit, to vessels that are emptied and poured. How do we witness authentically, without it just being about us? That too was something I was conscious of as I was drafting my sermon of 7/1/2012, “What Jesus Means to Me”
----
“God Saved Me”
“Our salvation story”
July 16, 2012
“the pungent air of self”
July 16, 2012
“every I statement”
&
Ephesians 1:11-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2012
July 9, 2012 to July 15, 2012
“Responding to God’s Holiness”
by David Grebert
for July 14, 2012,
read July 15, 2012
&
Ephesians 1:3-10
Upper Room Disciplines for 2012
July 9, 2012 to July 15, 2012
“Responding to God’s Holiness”
by David Grebert
for July 13, 2012,
read July 15, 2012

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 24,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.