Saturday, October 05, 2013

With Pen to the Page – v2


With pen to the page
they spoke across the ages
to the cause we keep
to the things we believe
of a freedom to be
within this land we love
When all men are truly free

Words worth fighting for
four score and more,
remembering all who have gone before
who sacrificed and died
so that this land could truly be
as the founders prayed we may be
one people together, united and free


Edited October 5, 2013
With Pen to the Page – v2
July 4, 2009
With Pen to the Page
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

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 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thursday, October 03, 2013

Drop your stones – v4


walk in mercy, in grace
look first in the mirror
at your own face
let go of judgment
be merciful, humble
to your sister, your brother
none of them strangers
all children of God

drop your stones
your burden, your judgment
your certainty, broken
leave them in the dust
love unconditionally
offer your presence
share love richly
to all whom you meet


====
Edited October 3, 2013
“Drop your stones – v4”
(editing version 3)
Edited August 25, 2013
editing the original
“Drop your stones – v3”
Edited August 11, 2013
“Drop your stones – v2”
February 21, 2013
“Drop your stones”
John 8:1-11
Matthew 14:22-33
Wednesday night worship
Worship Theme: “Ready for a Change”
message, “Rock Bottom /  Courage”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 20, 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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

These Bones Can Live – v4


Dry bones in the valley, waiting
together, coming together
by the word of the prophet
one people, one body
pulled together
into union
alive, as one
bone to bone
sinew, flesh, joining
flesh coming together
brought back from death
alive, these bones can live


Edited October 3, 2013
These Bones Can Live – v4
(editing original again)
June 8, 2011
These Bones Can Live
New England Methodist Church
Annual Conference LIVE Webcast
Ezekiel 37:1-6
and words of Bishop Peter Weaver
&
facebook post
by Jill Delbridge
August 20, 2010
&
Ezekiel 37:1-14

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 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.




stepping into the water – v2


watching the journey
his stepping into the Jordan
seeing a look of awareness
of what he was doing
joining the pilgrims
Christ before them
this same bit of water
where he was washed as well
stepping into the water
into the Jordan
remembering the water
that washed our Lord


====
Edited October 3, 2013
stepping into the water – v2
March 9, 2013
stepping into the water
video and
Spirit Study
March 3, 2013
&
Mark 1:9-13
Matthew 4:8-10
Chapter 1,
“Baptism and Temptation
The Jordan River and the Wilderness”
third book in a series of books -
“The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus”
by Reverend Adam Hamilton
read 2/23/2012
&        
“Final Words from the Cross”
&
24 Hours That Changed the World
&           
Spirit study
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
led by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH              
February 17, 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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Knowing God is with me – v7


I am free of my struggles
of my worries right now
knowing God is with me
fulfilling his promise
with us now, present
as he said he would
the Spirit within me
leading me on, forward
to face tomorrow
knowing he will be with me
ever, always, with me
to the end of the age


Edited October 3, 2013
Knowing God is with me – v7
(editing original again)
June 19, 2011
Knowing God is with me
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Final Greeting
Worship Theme: ‘God is “multi-dimensional”’
and sermon: “Living 3-D”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Trinity Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday
Second Sunday of Pentecost
Father’s Day
June 19, 2011
&
“3-D LIVING”
words on church sign
June 15, 2011
Suncook United Methodist Church
&
The Shack, by William P. Young
and Chapter 13, “A Meeting of Hearts”

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 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

only by your power – v2


I am centered, at peace
not by my hand, my actions
only by your grace
your Spirit within me
beating, calming my heart
held in your loving arms
safe from the world
not by my strength
by wisdom, my reason
not my ability, oh Lord
only by your power
your touch, your hand upon me
only you, Lord, giving me peace
your rest, my reward


Edited October 3, 2013
only by your power – v2
October 2, 2013
only by your power

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 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Frozen Water – v2


The camera caught the water
froze it at a moment of time
burned into the emulsion
the bits of the computer
preserved as drops, bits of eternity
etched right there
on the square of film
seeing what the human eye cannot see
the beauty in the pauses between
the rushing water
over rock and falls
broken into tiny droplets
saved and framed on my wall


Edited October 3, 2013
Frozen Water – v2
August 12, 2006 21:45
Frozen Water

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 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Our Table – v2

Our table, ready
open to all who come
yet not for a season
weeks with the door shuttered
helpers gone away
no one now ready
when a stranger
comes our way


Edited October 3, 2013
Our Table – v2
June 14, 2010
Our Table
Luke 7:36-50
and
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for June 7, 2010 to June 13, 2010,
“The Welcome Table”,
by Marian Wright Edelman
for June 12, 2010,
read June 14, 2010

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 25,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Newsboys - Live With Abandon

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 25,200+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

only by your power

I am centered, at peace
not by my hand, my actions
only by your grace
held in your loving arms
safe from the world
not by my strength
my ability, oh Lord
only by your power
your rest, my reward

October 2, 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 25,820+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

calming the frightened deer – v4


see the eyes of our clients
panic in the hallway
steps of the court
in mediation, in trial
as an animal, a deer
caught in the woods
nowhere to run
wolves on the hunt

they are trapped
not knowing what to do
only wanting to run
calming frightened deer
to bring them back
regaining some composure
some semblance they are human
supposedly governed, controlled

by reason, by thought
yet for an instant propelled
back eons of life, ancient
to fight or flight, wanting to run
returning to a more primitive state
where law has no meaning
not knowing what to do
only wanting to run



edited April 12, 2014
calming the frightened deer – v6
(editing original again)
Edited November 9, 2013
calming the frightened deer – v5
(editing version 2 again)
Edited October 1, 2013
calming the frightened deer – v4
(editing version 2)
Edited August 30, 2013
calming the frightened deer – v3
Edited June 19, 2013 and June 20, 2013
calming the frightened deer – v2
June 16, 2012
calming the frightened deer
written after attending
NH Bar Continuing Legal Education seminar
“PRACTICAL NEURO-LITERACY”
Where Divorce Practice,
Neuroscience, and Legal
Conflict Resolution Intersect
with Pauline H. Tesler
June 14, 2012
&
triune brain
&
mirror neurons
&
Amygdala hijack - wikipedia
&
subliminal persuasion
priming
video – “Derren Brown - Mind Control”
&
It Takes a Village
&
It Takes a Family


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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v4

Nothing Christian
nothing of Jesus
of the One who descended
who walked as a man

Nothing of Christ
in burning a cross
nothing Christian in this
especially in the Deep South

When Hate claims Christ’s name
hurting his people
his ministry here
the hope of the nations

Stand with Jesus
against hate, injustice
speak out against them
for they are not Christian

Stand with Christ
our rock, our salvation
his message stronger
his light the way


Edited October 1, 2013
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v4”
(editing original again)
Edited August 11, 2013
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v3”
Written July 4, 2012
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name”
"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week
&
&
July 4, 2012
We Pray for Our Nation – v3
July 2, 2012
We Pray for Our Nation – v2
extract of Prayers of the People
second of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)
Call to Worship(Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)
(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)
Communion,  UMH page 9
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!
by Raymond A. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 1, 2012
Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide

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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

My Land – v3


My land, these words
separating our world
ownership, protection
walling off neighbor
claiming land as their own
passed on to descendants

My land, not yours
for my own purpose
now claiming the land
fixed in one place
no longer nomads, gatherers
people bound to the earth


====
Edited September 5, 2013
My Land – v2
January 18, 2013
My Land
substitute teaching at Pembroke,
Three Rivers School
6th grade Social Studies,
covering the Neolithic Age,
page 45
“Human Heritage”,
by Miriam Greenblatte and Peter Lenzino
Chapter 2, “Prehistoric People”,
Section 2, “The Neolithic Age”

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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

on top of Calvary’s hill – v2


my focus this season
our walk in this Lent
to humble walk beside Jesus
to journey to the places he went
to linger, to sit at his feet
Walking into the synagogues,
in the ways of Galilee
turning with him to Jerusalem
to face his destiny, his Passion
journeying at the pace of our Savior
his purposefulness my guide
walking to the cross with Jesus
with the disciples by my side
There in the courts of the Lord
on top of Calvary’s hill
as Christ was dying for my sin
that I may have life with him


Edited October 1, 2013
on top of Calvary’s hill – v2
February 27, 2012
on top of Calvary’s hill
Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday
Prelude
Unison Prayer
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)
Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)
Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51:3)
Pastoral Prayer
Word of Assurance (GBOD 2012)
Thanksgiving over the ashes
Distribution of the Ashes
hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138
and Ash Wednesday Meditation,
“The Math of Lent”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Ash Wednesday
February 22, 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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Knowing God is with me – v6


Freed of my struggles
of my worries right now
at peace in my body
knowing God is with me
fulfilling his promise
with us now
as he said he would
the Spirit within me
leading me on
to face tomorrow
knowing he will be with me
ever, always
to the end of my days


Edited October 1, 2013
Knowing God is with me – v6
(editing original again)
June 19, 2011
Knowing God is with me
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Final Greeting
Worship Theme: ‘God is “multi-dimensional”’
and sermon: “Living 3-D”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Trinity Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday
Second Sunday of Pentecost
Father’s Day
June 19, 2011
&
“3-D LIVING”
words on church sign
June 15, 2011
Suncook United Methodist Church
&
The Shack, by William P. Young
and Chapter 13, “A Meeting of Hearts”

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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Season’s Purpose – v3


Not about the presents
the tinsel, the garland
the trees we cut and carry
standing in our homes

Not even about the giving
the sharing of our bounty
the presents we exchange
as witness to our love

The season’s purpose
retelling the coming
the promise of his coming
in victory in a time to come

The Christ coming before us
into our consciousness
calling us to him
if we would but believe

The story of the Christ-child
the love of Jesus
God’s grace in the power
of his humble birth

God redeeming
reclaiming his creation
restoring all who would follow
who would take up their cross

Specific instructions
in the life of Jesus
in the words of his witness
in his commands to his flock

That we would end our days
as we begin this season
humbly worshiping
the depths of God’s love

God’s love unending
his grace without end
bringing us to him
at the foot of the cross


Edited October 1, 2013
The Season’s Purpose – v3
edited February 25, 2012
The Season’s Purpose – v2
changing the spelling from “worshipped” to “worshiped”,
because Blogger and Twitter said “worshipped” is a misspelling.
&
November 26, 2010
Romans 13:11-14
Isaiah 2:1-5
Worship Theme: “Hope”
and sermon, “The Reason for the Season”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 28, 2010
First Sunday of Advent


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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Right Side Up – v2


The story of Christmas
trying to turn the world
right side up, to turn from
the power of night
to a world where sacrifice,
where servanthood
where the meek, the forgotten
the least, the last, the lost
outsiders equal with the select
all are worthy,
all brought inside
within, with him
a king a babe
a throne a manger
women, shepherds, foreigners
all can be vessels for God’s message;
A babe in swaddling clothes
will change the world


Edited October 1, 2013
Right Side Up – v2
December 21 and 24, 2008
Right Side Up
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Potter – v2


Imagining, picturing, seeing
the hands of the potter
sitting at the wheel
loving the clay
what delicate mastery
his artistry to reveal
the eyes of the potter
if we could only but see
the world, the creation
through His eyes
no more mystery
the mind of the potter
symmetry, balance
perfect creation
all for a purpose
all part of his plan
the love of the potter
touching our liquid clay
holding us, shaping us
picking up the broken pieces
lovingly making us worthy
by his loving hands


Edited October 1, 2013
The Potter – v2
December 19, 2009
The Potter
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Genesis 2:4b-25
the tension between the two traditions
giving us two creation stories
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Jeremiah 18:1-4
&
via email conversation 12/4/09
with artist and teacher
Carol Childress,
author of blog, “Choosing Joy”,

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 25,810+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.