Saturday, January 25, 2014

Looking Down at Mary – v5

Looking down at Mary
looking more closely
as the Master spoke;
pain of His words
cutting into me, deep

Dropping my stone
hearing others fall
knowing my own disobedience;
leaving Him alone with her
in the shadow of our sin

Knowing something special
in the truth of His words,
of how to walk each day;
humble in my judgment
knowing my own shame


edited January 25, 2014
Looking Down at Mary – v5
(editing version 2)
Edited October 12, 2013
Looking Down at Mary – v4
(editing version 3)
Edited October 5, 2013
Looking Down at Mary – v3
(editing original again)
Edited September 17, 2013
Looking Down at Mary – v2
June 13, 2011
Looking Down at Mary
&
Edited September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy – v2”
new poem September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy”
----
This poem is about my wife and me when we got married
in a civil service on December 17, 2004 in Concord, NH in White Park
and then before our church family at
Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH
on April 23, 2005.
----
We celebrate 2 anniversaries because they both mean a great
deal to us, in very different ways.
I grieve for those who are able to marry civilly in so many
states now, such as NH, but are unable to marry in their
United Methodists churches and for the clergy who are put on trial
for choosing to go against the Discipline to marry them.
&
trials of Rev. Frank Schaefer
and Rev. Thomas Ogletree
and  Rev. Steve Heiss
&
Edited September 7, 2013
For Offering Love – v2
June 22, 2011
For Offering Love
Love on Trial,
the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,
which begins on June 20, 2011
&
John 8:1-11
&
Samuel Thompson’s
Inclusion Essay
shared at the New England United Methodist Church
Annual Conference
in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network
for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,
June 10, 2011
&
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
Riruta UMC
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission

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 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Morsel of Bread – v16

What we felt, sharing in this meal
an invocation, the intoning of the words
these words of the teacher, Rabbi
of our brother, of Jesus, our master,
changing the ancient words of remembrance
saying something entirely new, a new covenant
the morsel of bread dipped, shared from his hands
his words to go, to do that which is planned quickly
our minds reeling, yet we soon would know
Judas leaving, the hollow space left,
the confusion, steps set in motion
unable to return, to pull back
the wheels of time turning;
but we didn’t know the words
his body, his blood, his sacrifice,
dripping on our hands in the upper room
and on the cross tomorrow
looking back in memory
never to forget


edited January 25, 2014
The Morsel of Bread – v16
(editing original again,
but becoming Peter, John)
edited January 4, 2014
The Morsel of Bread – v15
(editing original again,
but becoming Judas)
February 1, 2009
The Morsel of Bread
Edited December 5, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v14”
(editing original again)
Edited November 30, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v13”
(editing version 3)
Edited November 24, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v12”
(editing the original again)
Edited October 25, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v11”
(editing version 8 again)
Edited October 25, 2013
The Morsel of Bread – v10
Edited October 17, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v9”
Edited October 9, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v8”
(editing original again)
Edited September 8, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v7”
 (editing version 3)
Edited April 13, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v6”
Edited March 19, 2013
“The Morsel of Bread – v5”
Edited December 21, 2012
“The Morsel of Bread – v4”
Edited December 21, 2012
“The Morsel of Bread – v3”
Edited December 19, 2012
“The Morsel of Bread – v2”
February 1, 2009
“The Morsel of Bread”
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30
and sermon, “Even Me Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 1, 2009

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 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Veil taken away – v2

Moses’ veil, his face hidden,
not able to be seen
separation from the people
the Law given by his messenger
a singular go-between
between God and man

Transformed, transferred
to the Lord in transfiguration
Body aglow, God in the flesh,
Creating union,
light passed from the cloud,
on the mountain

The third act, the tearing
of the curtain,
the separation;
The veil torn away
able to reach God
forevermore.

We are now able to
reclaim the presence
the direct relationship
The closeness,
one on one
through Christ,
and with God.


edited January 25, 2014
The Veil taken away – v2
February 18, 2007 17:40 (during Rejuvenation)
February 19, 2007 9:55
The Veil taken away
Exodus 34:29-35;
Luke 9:28-36;
Matthew 27:45-57

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 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Shepherd Boy – v2

The boy in the field, left to tend the sheep
the youngest, least, last, alone on the mountainside
He will be the king of the people of the law
the people of the covenant of old
Anoint his head with oil, prepare him for his rule
A new day has begun, rejoice,
a King from the fields has come


edited January 25, 2014
A Shepherd Boy – v2

July 2, 2008
A Shepherd Boy
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008

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 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shepherd’s Hook – v2

A shepherd’s hook
stood in the corner of the empty office
a reminder of the role
the reason for this room,
in the corner of the building
it called to be used, with the sheep,
to have sweat and dirt join the clean wood
to be used in the field, in work,
to guard and lead and protect
the members of the flock
A memory of the old shepherd
and those for whom it is more than metaphor
reminding me of the cane, placed, waiting
in the corner of the new house
at the close of “Miracle on 34th Street”
reminding them of his presence
A reminder that believing is seeing,
that He will always be there
He will remember the covenant, his promises
that the Good Shepherd is always watching
watching over us, ready
His rod and his staff
are there to protect,
give us safe haven in a troubled world
a symbol, indicia, a talesman
of his love, our joy
like the bow in the sky
and the bread and wine
in remembrance, forever
of the hand of the master
the staff to ward off enemies
and the hook to bring them and us home


edited March 16, 2014
Shepherd’s Hook – v3
edited January 25, 2014
Shepherd’s Hook – v2
July 16, 2006 14:17
Shepherd’s Hook
Genesis 8:12-17, Psalm 23:4, Matthew 28:20, and John 10:11.



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 33,890+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Reading Job – v2

The story of so many
who try to be faithful
yet staring at calamity
capricious and cruel
in reading Job
seeing us, ourselves
our struggles in this life
wanting to believe
but not trusting in God
Painful, eager for answers
mysteries we cannot know
why’s and how’s of this world
beyond our capacity or reason
wanting the questions to matter
to speak directly to God;
but, unlike Job, hopefully,
trying to be careful
walking more humbly before God


edited January 25, 2014
Reading Job – v2

May 26, 2010
Reading Job
struggling with questions of life and death
and God’s timing
& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and the later part of the book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to FaithWriters.com 5/26/2010,
both based in part on
October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:


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 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Point to Almighty God

in our actions, in our words
in our walk upon the earth
point to something greater
point to Almighty God
celebrate God’s presence
God’s influence on our lives
point to something greater
point to Almighty God
witness to God’s goodness
God’s grace that saves us
point to something greater
point to Almighty God


------
January 25, 2014
Point to Almighty God

1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
for January 25, 2014
read January 25, 2014
&
January 20, 2014 to January 26, 2014
“Let’s Go Fishin’!”
by Terrell M. McDaniel
&
overview page (with questions)
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

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 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Something Special about the Guest – v12

Something worth remembering
in the action of this stranger
a true disciple, seeking the hand of God
something special about the guest
not timid, reluctant,
seeking Christ where he was

Boldly going, entering in
an uninvited guest
seeking healing, wholeness
care from the Lord

In our lives, in our ministry
continuing Christ’s labors
our gifts being given
used for God’s work

Seeing the uniqueness
the needs of each stranger
being open as he was
wherever we find them
sharing the love of God
to all whom we meet


=======
edited December 4, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v18
(editing version 9)
edited August 4, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v17
(editing version 13)
edited April 7, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v16
(editing original again)
edited February 14, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v15
(merging edits with original and version 14)
edited October 23, 2014
Something Special about the Guest – v14
(editing version 10)
edited March 4, 2014
Something Special about the Guest – v13
(editing original again)
edited January 25, 2014
Something Special about the Guest – v12
(editing original again)
Edited November 11, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v11
(editing version 8)
(not posted until 1/25/2014)
Edited October 26, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v10
(editing version 8)
Edited October 10, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v9
(editing original again)
Edited September 25, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v8
Edited September 23, 2013
“Something Special About the Guest – v7”
(editing version 5)
Edited September 23, 2013
“Something Special About the Guest – v6”
(editing original again)
Edited September 22, 2013
“Something Special About the Guest – v5”
Edited December 18, 2012
“Something Special About the Guest – v4”
Edited December 4, 2012
“Something Special About the Guest – v3”
Edited December 1, 2012
“Something Special About the Guest – v2”
May 2, 2010
“Something Special About the Guest”
Luke 12:1-6, 12-14
Isaiah 55:1-3 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-21
Worship Theme: “Everyone is Invited”
and sermon, “How Good Do You Have to Be?”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 2, 2010
Fourth Sunday after Easter
Fifth Sunday in Easter

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 40,300+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.


Something Special about the Guest – v11

Something worth remembering
in the action of the stranger
something special about the guest
with a purpose, focused,
seeking Christ where He was

Boldly going, entering in
an uninvited guest
confident, urgent
seeking healing, wholeness
care from the Lord

In our lives, in our ministry
continuing Christ’s labors
His hands and His feet
our gifts being given
used for God’s work

Seeing the uniqueness
the needs of each stranger
being open as He was
wherever we find them
sharing the love of God
to all those we meet


=======
edited December 4, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v18
(editing version 9)
edited August 4, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v17
(editing version 13)
edited April 7, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v16
(editing original again)
edited February 14, 2015
Something Special about the Guest – v15
(merging edits with original and version 14)
edited October 23, 2014
Something Special about the Guest – v14
(editing version 10)
edited March 4, 2014
Something Special about the Guest – v13
(editing original again)
edited January 25, 2014
Something Special about the Guest – v12
(editing original again)
Edited November 11, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v11
(editing version 8)
(not posted until 1/25/2014)
Edited October 26, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v10
(editing version 8)
Edited October 10, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v9
(editing original again)
Edited September 25, 2013
Something Special about the Guest – v8
Edited September 23, 2013
“Something Special About the Guest – v7”
(editing version 5)
Edited September 23, 2013
“Something Special About the Guest – v6”
(editing original again)
Edited September 22, 2013
“Something Special About the Guest – v5”
Edited December 18, 2012
“Something Special About the Guest – v4”
Edited December 4, 2012
“Something Special About the Guest – v3”
Edited December 1, 2012
“Something Special About the Guest – v2”
May 2, 2010
“Something Special About the Guest”
Luke 12:1-6, 12-14
Isaiah 55:1-3 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-21
Worship Theme: “Everyone is Invited”
and sermon, “How Good Do You Have to Be?”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 2, 2010
Fourth Sunday after Easter
Fifth Sunday in Easter

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 40,300+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.


feeling you with me

feeling you with me
my God, my Savior
in the storms,
in the shadow lands,
in the trials

feeling you with me
your holy presence
guiding me, safely,
through the storms
through the trials


------
January 25, 2014
feeling you with me

2 Corinthians 12:9
Romans 5:1-5
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“God Is With Us”
by Gabriela Morales
Thought of the day
prayer of the day
for January 23, 2014
read January 23, 2014
for January and February 2014

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 27,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.