saying no to the madness

We can change this

by our choices

saying no to the madness

to the sin of excess

forgetting Christmas

in the blur of shopping

Black Friday consuming

part of Thanksgiving

taking our focus

off of the Christ

We can change this

by our choices

saying no to the madness

the sin of excess

====

December 4, 2014

saying no to the madness

December 3, 2014

Good News of Great Joy

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/good-news-of-great-joy.html

December 3, 2014

a stampede of shoppers

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-stampede-of-shoppers.html

December 3, 2014

Like a herd of cattle

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/like-herd-of-cattle.html

December 1, 2014

The Crush of Christmas

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-crush-of-christmas.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

&

December 14, 2012

We have lost Christmas

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/we-have-lost-christmas.html

Spirit Study,

around session 2,

“Giving Up on Perfect”

of video series:

“A Different Kind of Christmas: Living and Giving Like Jesus”

http://www.thethoughtfulchristian.com/Products/9781426753541/a-different-kind-of-christmas-dvd-w-leader-guide.aspx

by Reverend Mike Slaughter

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/bookstore.aspx?contributorid=4257

and companion book,

“Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Experience the Joy of Living and Giving like Jesus”,

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1005372

also by Reverend Mike Slaughter,

led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

December 9, 2012

Second Sunday of Advent

&

Worship Theme: “I Believe in the Love/ Peace”

Luke 3:1-6 (English Standard Version Bible)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Malachi 3:1-4 (Common English Bible)

Philippians 1:3-11 (Contemporary English Version Bible)

and sermon – “True Love”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/sermon-true-love-by-pastor-ruth-foss.html

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

December 9, 2012

Second Sunday of Advent

&

November 28, 2010

Turn to Bethlehem

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/11/turn-to-bethlehem.html

Romans 13:11-14

Isaiah 2:1-5

Worship Theme: “Hope”

and sermon, “The Reason for the Season”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/11/sermon-reason-for-season-by-pastor-ruth.html

by Pastor Ruth L. Foss

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, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 34,140+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.