Saturday, August 02, 2014

Shimmering Fabric – v2

The body of Christ,
the church, universal
each one of us, the temple
of the Spirit of Christ
A shimmering, living fabric,
precious threads, unique and special,
woven together with love
to show the image of God
to all the world, afire,
shimmering in the darkness,
the faintest light, embers,
nuanced and changing
living as He did, as we do,
in this world; but separate,
set apart, for God’s purposes
being the Son, the Father
the hands and feet of God
for all our neighbors
all around the world


====
edited August 2, 2014
Shimmering Fabric – v2

February 28, 2008
Shimmering Fabric
Walk to Emmaus

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 31,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shifting Sands – v2

The winds of change raging
standing on shifting sands
needing to stand for justice
righteousness in those lands

The dictators, the despots
need to leave the stage
that the time of the people
this is their time, the age

The people will judge us
see us for who we are
will we stand with them now
in this time of crisis

We need to be certain
that the people will know
that our hearts are with them
that it is time for them to go

Or will we stand
with their oppressors
our country standing, again,
on sinking sand

We should fight for justice
a light into this world
remembering we are salt
and these are our neighbors

Worthy of our aid, our help
in this their time of need
standing with the captives
not those in power and greed


-----
edited August 2, 2014
Shifting Sands – v2

February 16, 2011
Shifting Sands
hearing claim by President Obama yesterday
in a news conference that when history books tell it
we will be seen as being on the right side of history
in how the United States responded
(after driving Erica to school this morning)
February 16, 2011
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
“Our Revolution was like Wikipedia”
February 14, 2011
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
 “This is Revolution 2.0: No one was a hero because everyone was a hero.
February 13, 2011
&
on the transformations of the last 4 weeks -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia,
Algeria, Libya, Jordan, Iran, etc.
and
especially the resignation of Hosni Mubarak
February 11, 2011
and see
A Prayer for the People of Egypt (February 3, 2011)
by Safiyah Fosua
&
Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
(and Matthew 5:1-12, Beatitudes)
John 6:51 (Call to Worship)
Isaiah 58.6-12 (NRSV)
John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:4-6
(“They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, The Faith We Sing #2223)
Micah 6:8
(“We Are Called”, The Faith We Sing #2172)
Call to Worship (John 6:51)
Prayer of Confession
Prayer of Dedication
Worship Theme: “A Meal for All People”
and sermon, “Salty Christians”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 6, 2011
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

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 31,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Servant – haiku – v2

Giving out of love;
humbled for humanity.
Sacrifice of grace.


====
edited August 2, 2014
Servant – haiku – v2

January 11, 2008
Servant – haiku
Isaiah 42:1-9


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 31,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Poverty – Blog Action Day – v2

Poverty, the lack of drinking water,
famine, starvation, uninsured children, dying;
a pandemic of diseases with known cures
all because of indifference, negligence,
these are all crimes against humanity,
far too often against children.

In a world with such wealth
connected by travel, by cable,
organization of nations
never should there be these conditions
on the face of the earth
on the scale in which they exist.

This must be the first day
of the end of this history;
the first day of a sea change
where the world’s nations
will not tolerate this reality;
the first day when love replaces hate
where compassion replaces indifference
for all of our sakes.


----
edited August 2, 2014
Poverty – Blog Action Day – v2

October 15, 2008
Poverty – Blog Action Day
Blog Action Day, poverty

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Your Holy Spirit – v2

Our prayer that your Holy Spirit
would fill us all, that we would all
feel the power of the moment,
when we were washed,
claimed by your Spirit
that we would be like the eleven,
all in the Upper Room
washed by tongues of fire,
gifted with powers, talents,
to communicate, to inspire
to touch the lives of others,
sharing your Good News

Fill us Spirit, teach us,
guide us to where we must go
fill us with that Breath of life,
reborn, indwelling,
being merely the vessels,
the worthy temples
being the skin, the gloves,
within which the Spirit lives
to continue the saving
brought by the Son
the sacrifice of the Father,
Creator of all


=====
edited August 2, 2014
Your Holy Spirit – v2

January 17, 2009
Your Holy Spirit
Genesis 1:1-5
Mark 1:4-11
Mark 1:12-13
Acts 2:1-21
Acts 19:1-7
and sermon, “Child of God”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 11, 2009
and sermon, “Beginnings”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
and sermon, “Come, Holy Spirit”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge
North Kingstown United Methodist Church,
North Kingstown, RI

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

You are the Light to the World – v2

Christ’s words to me
to every one of us
spoken directly, for our hearts;
You are the light of the world
the hope of all mankind

To shine through the confusion
the chaos of these days
authentic witnesses of praise;
showing the love of our Savior
all of our days

Christ’s voice in this time
His hands and feet now
doing the work of our Savior;
witnesses to God’s grace
to the ends of the earth


====
edited August 2, 2014
You are the Light to the World – v2

February 6, 2011
Your are the Light to the World
Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
(and Matthew 5:1-12, Beatitudes)
John 6:51 (Call to Worship)
Isaiah 58.6-12 (NRSV)
John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:4-6
(“They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, The Faith We Sing #2223)
Micah 6:8
(“We Are Called”, The Faith We Sing #2172)
Call to Worship (John 6:51)
Prayer of Confession
Prayer of Dedication
Worship Theme: “A Meal for All People”
and sermon, “Salty Christians”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 6, 2011
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Scout Sunday


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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

You are the light of the world – v2

“You are the light of the world.”
Such a statement, a calling
God speaking to man
a blessing, a commission
to each one of us
We are the light of the world,
us, these clay vessels,
to illumine the darkness
to make straight the crooked paths
to push back the dark
to lead the world home


----
edited August 2, 2014
You are the light of the world – v2

December 7, 2008
You are the light of the world
Matthew 5:14
Matthew 5:1-16

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Why is Blue, Blue – v2

Why is the color blue, blue
why is red, red
you get the idea,
the idea of color
the image in our minds
when you speak a color
but why are they as they are
why is it blue for blue and red for red
what was it the colors said
to be blue or red
sky blue, blue mood
blood red, candy-apple red
well read, oh to go on…
golden yellow, sunset,
violet eyes, Elizabeth Taylor,
or green, summer warm and green
emerald green, green eyes (in a good way)
snowy cold and white
fall dying brown, lingering,
dead and blackness
orange, pineapple, sweet, becoming bitter
colors, textures, tastes
of hue, of spectrum
and rainbow of colors
A box of color
living color
all around us


----
edited August 2, 2014
Why is Blue, Blue – v2

September 3, 2006 16:57
Started September 3, 2006 15:42
Why is Blue, Blue

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

whispers over rice paper – v2

like breath to cool hot chocolate
our lives a mere moment
whispers over rice paper
our journey over time
sometimes with no purpose
no meter, no rhyme

meandering, aimless
seemingly lost
wandering in the desert
yet already claimed
knowing the Savior
where he has paid our cost

Calling to us, Come,
come and follow me
the call of our Master
gifting us the Spirit
with us to guide us
for all eternity

whispers over rice paper
our lives but a breath
yet faithful, for a purpose
following the Great Commission
heeding the call of our Shepherd
going where we are led


====
edited August 2, 2014
whispers over rice paper – v2

February 17, 2012
whispers over rice paper
Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Luke 12:12-15
Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible
“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles
Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith
children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson
reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys
and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 27, 2014
&
Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)
1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)
Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bead with a Hole - Silence
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
a blank space
-          God starts with a blank canvas,
God fills in the picture until a masterpiece
is created and we come home
and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 20, 2014
&
Psalm 33:30-22
Psalm 25:1-3
Romans 8:30-32
Matthew 11:28-30
Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bumpy Bead – Letting Go
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          a broken set of prayer beads -  God can make something beautiful
of all the broken pieces: Dad can you fix this? Yes I can…
and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 13, 2014
&
June 29, 2014
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014
&
Wednesday evening worship
Fourth of series on prayer,
inspired by Marcia McFee,
“All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”,
Third Sunday: Stepping Stones
and meditation
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 15, 2012
&
Wednesday evening worship
Third of series on prayer,
inspired by Marcia McFee,
“All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”,
Third Sunday: Silence
and meditation
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 8, 2012
&
Wednesday evening worship
Second of series on prayer,
inspired by Marcia McFee,
“All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”,
Second Sunday: Bumpy Bead
1 John 4:7-21
and meditation
by Pastor Ruth Foss  
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 25, 2012
&
Wednesday evening worship
start of series on prayer,
inspired by Marcia McFee,
“All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”,
First Sunday: God
Psalm 105:1-6
Isaiah 56:1-8
Acts 17:22-32
poem, “Pied Beauty”,
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
and meditation
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 11, 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, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 31,400+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Whispers of the Martyrs – v2

May the people listen
(our leaders as well)
the leaders, the insurgents
those who stood for justice
who cried out for freedom
the tribes, the bands,
the disparate factions
may they all slow down
may they all heed their warnings

the whispers of the martyrs
those who died seeking freedom
speaking to them, to us,
to seek forgiveness
peace in their land
that the rebellion, revolution
would build a lasting peace
that they may rest easy
those who died in the streets


====
edited August 2, 2014
Whispers of the Martyrs – v2

October 21, 2011
Whispers of the Martyrs
On the death of Muammar Gaddafi
October 20, 2011
&
on the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s
reign of terror over Libya
and capture of Saddam Hussein
August 22, 2011
&
Killing of General Abdel Fattah Younes
claimed to be by Islamic factions
but that could be more Qaddafi lies
&
earlier poems about the genocide in Libya
and hearing the rabbling of Gadhafi
2/22/2011
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, etc.
and
especially the resignation of Hosni Mubarak
February 11, 2011
&
and the jubilance in Tahrir Square
versus the bloodshed in Bahrain and Libya, etc.
February 18, 2011
&
hearing claim by President Obama 2/15/2011
in a news conference that when history books tell it
we will be seen as being on the right side of history
in how the United States responded
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
“Our Revolution was like Wikipedia”
February 14, 2011
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
 “This is Revolution 2.0: No one was a hero because everyone was a hero.
February 13, 2011
and see
A Prayer for the People of Egypt (February 3, 2011)
by Safiyah Fosua

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

While the Clay has Life – v2

The breath, the Spirit of God
living within us, alive,
firing our steps, guiding our lives,
while the clay, the earth, has life
Created by the hands of the Potter
from the dust so shall we return
our bodies, merely the temple
the place within which the Spirit lives
But it is that Spirit that matters
that makes us more than the earth
that piece of God returning to heaven
when we have our spiritual,
our eternal birth


-----
edited August 2, 2014
While the Clay has Life – v2

November 21, 2009
While the Clay has Life
Ecclesiastes 12:7b
and Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Genesis
and Day 98, “From Dust to Destiny”, in
 “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
read November 21, 2009
&
Ecclesiastes 3:11
and Day 97, “Eternity in Our Hearts”, in
 “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
read 11/20/09

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

We Walk in Faith – v2

A momentary blip,
a gasp, a holding of our breath,
a bump on the road of life
hit us again today, as it has
for a few weeks now
a scare in our lives
prayed over, worry over
brought us together
family of blood,
of affinity, of love,
our family of faith
wrapping arms around us
praying for us, over us,
for the doctor’s skill
the sureness of his hand
the guiding hand of God
in the testing to come
the results we wait for
the healing of her body
and the balm of the soul
feeling the presence
the people put in our path
wanting to help, to give,
to care for her, support her,
comfort her and me
on this path we did not choose


===
edited August 2, 2014
We Walk in Faith – v2

August 24, 2006 20:11
We Walk in Faith

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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

We are the Dogs – v2

We are the dogs, the unclean,
the animals, the outsiders
under the table
Not the children, the chosen ones
for whom He came.
We are the dogs,
unworthy of a seat at the table
crumbs for us, under the table
scraps to eat, left over
But oh there is enough
even in the crumbs
A bountiful harvest
of living grace in the crumbs
endless sustenance
manna from heaven
enough for our souls
even in the crumbs


====
edited August 2, 2014
We are the Dogs – v2

March 31, 2008
We are the Dogs
Mark 7:24-30

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 31,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.