blessing and pain intermingled – v2

the story of Mary

the handmaiden of the Most High

the virgin bride and the mother of Jesus

her story, in her own life,

and her relationship with Jesus

deep and complicated

blessing and pain intermingled

love for her child yet

knowing He is our Savior

not wanting Him to be hurt

but knowing He was the sacrifice

the One who would save us

the One long prophesied

the babe in the manger

and the man on the cross

-----

edited January 2, 2016

blessing and pain intermingled – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/blessing-and-pain-intermingled-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/blessing-and-pain-intermingled-v4_2.html

(editing version 2)

edited December 31, 2015

Christmas and Calvary – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-and-calvary-v2.html

(editing version 2)

New Year’s Eve Day

edited December 15, 2014

Christmas and Calvary – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-and-calvary-v2.html

December 13, 2014

the manger and the cross

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-manger-and-cross.html

December 13, 2014

Christmas and the cross

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-and-cross.html

December 13, 2014

Christmas and Calvary

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-and-calvary.html

December 13, 2014

Christmas and Easter

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-and-easter.html

Advent book study:

Luke 2:33-35

prophecy of Simeon

Chapter 2: “The Piercing of Mary’s Soul”

Not A Silent Night

http://www.adamhamilton.org/store/9781426771842#.VGp1BTTF9gg

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=276&pageid=1808

by Reverend Adam Hamilton

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/bookstore.aspx?contributorid=3827

http://www.facebook.com/RevAdamHamilton

https://twitter.com/RevAdamHamilton

Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

&

2^nd Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1417377248./605547519551607/

Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/

dramas by Ross Olson

http://rossolson.org/

sermon/message – “Mary”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/mary.html

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/611965572243135

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/sermon-advent-drama-mary-by-ross-olson.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/541653909874696192

(as performed by Shyanne Foss,

who, like Mary, is 14 years old)

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

2^nd Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2014

&

edited December 2, 2014

blessing and pain intermingled – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/blessing-and-pain-intermingled-v3.html

edited December 1, 2014

blessing and pain intermingled – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/blessing-and-pain-intermingled-v2.html

December 1, 2014

blessing and pain intermingled

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/blessing-and-pain-intermingled.html

Advent book study:

Acts 1:8-14

referenced article about Black Friday death in 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/30walmart.html?_r=0

(and website for Black Friday Deaths - http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/)

Introduction and

Chapter 1. “Beginning with the End”

Not A Silent Night

http://www.adamhamilton.org/store/9781426771842#.VGp1BTTF9gg

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=276&pageid=1808

by Reverend Adam Hamilton

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/bookstore.aspx?contributorid=3827

http://www.facebook.com/RevAdamHamilton

https://twitter.com/RevAdamHamilton

Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

&

earlier books by Rev. Hamilton studied in Spirit Study groups -

The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1104578

&        

“Final Words from the Cross”

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426746802

&

“24 Hours That Changed the World”

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=833652

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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.