Poetry Where You Live: 01/19/2014

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/looking-down-at-mary-v4.html

(editing version 3)

Edited October 5, 2013

Looking Down at Mary – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/looking-down-at-mary-v3.html

(editing original again)

Edited September 17, 2013

Looking Down at Mary – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-mary-v2.html

June 13, 2011

Looking Down at Mary

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-down-at-mary.html

Edited September 7, 2013

“Making the secular Holy – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy-v2.html

new poem September 7, 2013

“Making the secular Holy”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy.html

https://www.facebook.com/StandWithFrank/posts/324730717671030

----

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

http://www.concordwumc.org

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

http://www.unitedmethodistreporter.com/2013/09/rcm-another-clergy-member-facing-church-trial/

and Rev. Thomas Ogletree

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=13119911

and Rev. Steve Heiss

http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/08/rev-steve-heiss-.html

Edited September 7, 2013

For Offering Love – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/for-offering-love-v2.html

June 22, 2011

For Offering Love

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-offering-love.html

Love on Trial,

http://www.loveontrial.org/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-On-Trial/190582754298364

the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000572962166

which begins on June 20, 2011

http://www.rmnetwork.org/amy-delong/

John 8:1-11

Samuel Thompson’s

http://www.facebook.com/#!/keleayon

Inclusion Essay

shared at the New England United Methodist Church

Annual Conference

http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/195

in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,

June 10, 2011

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta UMC

http://rirutaumc.org

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-morsel-of-bread-v15.html

(editing original again,

but becoming Judas)

February 1, 2009

The Morsel of Bread

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post.html

Edited December 5, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v14”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-morsel-of-bread-v14.html

(editing original again)

Edited November 30, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v13”

(editing version 3)

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-morsel-of-bread-v13.html

Edited November 24, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v12”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-morsel-of-bread-v12.html

(editing the original again)

Edited October 25, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v11”

(editing version 8 again)

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-morsel-of-bread-v11.html

Edited October 25, 2013

The Morsel of Bread – v10

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-morsel-of-bread-v10.html

Edited October 17, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v9”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-morsel-of-bread-v9.html

Edited October 9, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v8”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-morsel-of-bread-v8.html

(editing original again)

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post.html

Edited September 8, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v7”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-morsel-of-bread-v7.html

(editing version 3)

Edited April 13, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v6”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-morsel-of-bread-v6.html

Edited March 19, 2013

“The Morsel of Bread – v5”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-morsel-of-bread-v5.html

Edited December 21, 2012

“The Morsel of Bread – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-morsel-of-bread-v4.html

Edited December 21, 2012

“The Morsel of Bread – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-morsel-of-bread-v3.html

Edited December 19, 2012

“The Morsel of Bread – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-morsel-of-bread-v2.html

February 1, 2009

“The Morsel of Bread”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post.html

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

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

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

February 1, 2009

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/02/veil-taken-away.html

Exodus 34:29-35;

Luke 9:28-36;

Matthew 27:45-57

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post_9931.html

1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and

Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008

http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

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 34^th 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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/shepherds-hook-v3.html

edited January 25, 2014

Shepherd’s Hook – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/shepherds-hook-v2.html

July 16, 2006 14:17

Shepherd’s Hook

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/shepherds-hook.html

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/reading-job.html

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

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

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

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

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

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

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:

http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html

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

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-22987.htm

for January 25, 2014

read January 25, 2014

January 20, 2014 to January 26, 2014

“Let’s Go Fishin’!”

by Terrell M. McDaniel

https://www.facebook.com/terrell.mcdaniel.7

overview page (with questions)

Isaiah 9:1-4

Psalm 27:1, 4-9

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-23

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/something-special-about-guest-v18.html

(editing version 9)

edited August 4, 2015

Something Special about the Guest – v17

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/08/something-special-about-guest-v17.html

(editing version 13)

edited April 7, 2015

Something Special about the Guest – v16

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/something-special-about-guest-v16.html

(editing original again)

edited February 14, 2015

Something Special about the Guest – v15

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/something-special-about-guest-v15.html

(merging edits with original and version 14)

edited October 23, 2014

Something Special about the Guest – v14

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/something-special-about-guest-v14.html

(editing version 10)

edited March 4, 2014

Something Special about the Guest – v13

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/something-special-about-guest-v13.html

(editing original again)

edited January 25, 2014

Something Special about the Guest – v12

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/something-special-about-guest-v12.html

(editing original again)

Edited November 11, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v11

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/something-special-about-guest-v11.html

(editing version 8)

(not posted until 1/25/2014)

Edited October 26, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v10

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-special-about-guest-v10.html

(editing version 8)

Edited October 10, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v9

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-special-about-guest-v9.html

(editing original again)

Edited September 25, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v8

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-worth-remembering-in-action.html (editing original again)

Edited September 23, 2013

“Something Special About the Guest – v7”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-special-about-guest-v7.html

(editing version 5)

Edited September 23, 2013

“Something Special About the Guest – v6”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-special-about-guest-v6.html

(editing original again)

Edited September 22, 2013

“Something Special About the Guest – v5”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-special-about-guest-v5.html

Edited December 18, 2012

“Something Special About the Guest – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/something-special-about-guest-v4-we.html

Edited December 4, 2012

“Something Special About the Guest – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/something-special-about-guest-v3.html

Edited December 1, 2012

“Something Special About the Guest – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/something-special-about-guest-v2.html

May 2, 2010

“Something Special About the Guest”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/something-special-about-guest.html

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/something-special-about-guest-v18.html

(editing version 9)

edited August 4, 2015

Something Special about the Guest – v17

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/08/something-special-about-guest-v17.html

(editing version 13)

edited April 7, 2015

Something Special about the Guest – v16

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/something-special-about-guest-v16.html

(editing original again)

edited February 14, 2015

Something Special about the Guest – v15

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/something-special-about-guest-v15.html

(merging edits with original and version 14)

edited October 23, 2014

Something Special about the Guest – v14

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/something-special-about-guest-v14.html

(editing version 10)

edited March 4, 2014

Something Special about the Guest – v13

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/something-special-about-guest-v13.html

(editing original again)

edited January 25, 2014

Something Special about the Guest – v12

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/something-special-about-guest-v12.html

(editing original again)

Edited November 11, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v11

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/something-special-about-guest-v11.html

(editing version 8)

(not posted until 1/25/2014)

Edited October 26, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v10

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-special-about-guest-v10.html

(editing version 8)

Edited October 10, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v9

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-special-about-guest-v9.html

(editing original again)

Edited September 25, 2013

Something Special about the Guest – v8

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-worth-remembering-in-action.html (editing original again)

Edited September 23, 2013

“Something Special About the Guest – v7”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-special-about-guest-v7.html

(editing version 5)

Edited September 23, 2013

“Something Special About the Guest – v6”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-special-about-guest-v6.html

(editing original again)

Edited September 22, 2013

“Something Special About the Guest – v5”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-special-about-guest-v5.html

Edited December 18, 2012

“Something Special About the Guest – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/something-special-about-guest-v4-we.html

Edited December 4, 2012

“Something Special About the Guest – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/something-special-about-guest-v3.html

Edited December 1, 2012

“Something Special About the Guest – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/something-special-about-guest-v2.html

May 2, 2010

“Something Special About the Guest”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/something-special-about-guest.html

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

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”

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2014-01-23

by Gabriela Morales

Thought of the day

https://www.facebook.com/UpperRoomDailyDevotionalGuide/posts/10152164635943151

prayer of the day

https://www.facebook.com/UpperRoomDailyDevotionalGuide/posts/10152165883243151

for January 23, 2014

read January 23, 2014

for January and February 2014

http://devotional.upperroom.org/issues/jan-feb2014

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.

Pages

Saturday, January 25, 2014