Poetry Where You Live: 08/17/2014

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 31,940+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

my clay still wet – v2

ever may I be able to proclaim

my clay still wet, moving

still sitting on the potter’s wheel

feeling the touch of His hands

the drawing me out

pulled higher, fuller

shaping me, molding me

crafting me for His purpose

ever pliable, changing

following the Master’s will

------

edited January 31, 2015

my clay still wet – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-clay-still-wet-v5-ever-may-i-be-able.html

(merging edits to version 4 and version 2 and original)

edited January 27, 2015

my clay still wet – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-clay-still-wet-v4.html

(editing version 3)

edited December 29, 2014

my clay still wet – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-clay-still-wet-v3.html

edited August 23, 2014

my clay still wet – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-clay-still-wet-v2.html

April 3, 2010

my clay still wet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-clay-still-wet.html

on reading the earlier poem

posted to Christianpoetry today

-----

My Clay

Praying, in the quiet of my heart

my clay, giving myself

my heart, my all

becoming a vessel

worthy for God’s purposes

filled with God’s love

His living water

pure, refreshing

waters for the soul

Let me pour them out,

sharing them, my clay still wet

dripping with the waters of your love

====

September 19, 2009

My Clay

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-clay.html

Alive Now daily reflection for September 17, 2009,

http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-14-20/

the poem, “A Vessel”, by Roberta Porter

and the prayer for the week

and suggested scripture,

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Psalm 1:1-6

Luke 9:57-62

Acts 9:1-9

and

Romans 5:1-12

Romans 5:1-5

Jeremiah 2:1-13

Jeremiah 2:13

Call to Worship

Unison Prayer

sermon, “Human Limitations and Unlimited Grace”

Reverend Huntley Halvorson

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

9/13/09

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,600+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

my clay stiffened – v2

over the course of my life

pulling away from God

my clay stiffened

filled with pride

my heart hardened in time

needing God’s touch

the Spirit within

to give new life to my clay

slowly changing

living water

making the way

my clay bending

to your touch

----

edited August 23, 2014

my clay stiffened – v2

August 24, 2011

my clay stiffened

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-clay-stiffened.html

Bible study with Jean Anocibar August 23, 2011

John 5:1-15

The Healing at the Pool

John 5:16-30

Life Through the Son

John 5:31-47

Testimonies about Jesus

John 10

the Good Shepherd

Jeremiah 18

the Potter’s House

Job

remaining humble

My Clay Changed – v2

In the coming of the Spirit

the flames as on Pentecost

the stuff of me different

my clay changed, to be used

fired by the Spirit

no longer malleable

fired by God’s love

Made a vessel

from the stuff of clay

a bowl, a goblet

common flesh, sacred worth

holding the Spirit’s love

burning brightly within me

that I may do my Savior’s work

Spreading the message of Christ

the light burning within us

changing the world as He can

as his hands and feet

going to the ends of the earth

doing all we can

in this time and place

----

edited August 23, 2014

My Clay Changed – v2

May 21, 2010

My Clay Changed

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-clay-changed.html

Luke 7:18-22

Acts 2:1-8

Worship Theme: “Doing a Dangerous Thing”

and sermon, “A Lesson From a Motorcycle Shop”

by Reverend Huntley Halvorson

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

May 23, 2010

Pentecost Sunday

and quote attributed to Corrie ten Bloom,

“I have a glove here in my hand. The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things. True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts. We are gloves. It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job. We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Genesis 2:4b-25

the tension between the two traditions

giving us two creation stories

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Jeremiah 18:1-4

via email conversation 12/4/09

with artist and teacher

Carol Childress,

author of blog, “Choosing Joy”,

http://carolchil.blogspot.com/

and see: http://carolchil.blogspot.com/2009/12/for-everything-there-is-season.html

My Clay – v2

Praying, in the quiet of my heart

my clay, giving myself

my heart, my all

to you, oh God

Becoming a vessel

worthy for God’s purposes

filled with God’s love

His living water

washing over me

pure, refreshing

waters for the soul

Let me pour them out,

sharing them, my clay still wet

dripping with the waters of your love

===

edited August 23, 2014

My Clay – v2

September 19, 2009

My Clay

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-clay.html

Alive Now daily reflection for September 17, 2009,

http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-14-20/

the poem, “A Vessel”, by Roberta Porter

and the prayer for the week

and suggested scripture,

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Psalm 1:1-6

Luke 9:57-62

Acts 9:1-9

and

Romans 5:1-12

Romans 5:1-5

Jeremiah 2:1-13

Jeremiah 2:13

Call to Worship

Unison Prayer

& sermon, “Human Limitations and Unlimited Grace”

Reverend Huntley Halvorson

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

9/13/09

before I found Jesus – v2

so many years since youth group

since I went to a church I called home

wandering out in the world

a hesitant Prodigal Son

before I found Jesus

at home in the filth

before I opened Your Word

so many things I regret

my life unfiltered

following the way of the flesh

my own vision,

believing in myself

the path I was walking

blind to the evil

(though I knew it was wrong)

the sin in my choices

Redeemed by God’s grace

His hand on my life

raised from the darkness

into Your light.

Wanting to share boldly

but my history haunts me

hearing your forgiveness

but slow to drop my chains.

====

edited August 23, 2014

before I found Jesus – v2

August 23, 2014

before I found Jesus

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/before-i-found-jesus.html

Devozine for August 18, 2014 to August 24, 2014

www.devozine.org

“+sexual struggles”

“Sexual Struggles Weekend”

http://devozine.upperroom.org/articles/porn/

“Next Day Stretch”

devotion: “Our Brokenness Can Be Redeemed By Grace”

devotion by Aidan Gscheidle

part of group, “The Blarney Stones”

http://www.reverbnation.com/artist_2607988/bio

http://www.reverbnation.com/theblarneystones

for August 24, 2014

read August 24, 2014

“Sexual Struggles Weekend”

devotion: “porn. . . It Distorts God’s Image in Us”

devotion by Sarah Martindell

and

devotion: “It’s Not Just a Guy Thing”

devotion by April Oberholtzer

for August 23, 2014

read August 23, 2014

1 John 4:11-12

devotion: “Welcoming Everyone”

devotion by Joey Lopez

and Trevor Project

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Trevor Project Hotline

866-488-7386

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/section/get-help

for August 22, 2014

read August 22, 2014

1 Timothy 2:22 (NRSV)

devotion: “You Are Not Alone”

devotion by Anonymous

and Reflect on 1 Corinthians 10:13

for August 21, 2014

read August 21, 2014

Song of Solomon 6:3a (NRSV)

devotion: “The Gift of Sexuality”

devotion by Katy Steele

for August 20, 2014

read August 20, 2014

Habakkuk 3:1 (GNT)

devotion: “Sexual Abuse”

national abuse hotline

1-800-656-4673

https://ohl.rainn.org/online/

devotion by Kerri Voegeli

https://www.facebook.com/kerri.voegeli

for August 19, 2014

read August 19, 2014

Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

devotion: “Modesty”

about bathing suit designer Jessica Rey

http://jessicarey.com/

http://www.reyswimwear.com/

devotion by Raeann Dalton

“Take a Stand for Modesty”

1 Peter 3:3-4

http://devozine.upperroom.org/community/modest/

for August 18, 2014

read August 18, 2014

Patten Methodist Youth Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pattenmethodistyouth/

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

Patten, ME

very early in the morning – v2

very early in the morning

while it was still dark out

Jesus awaking quietly

not disturbing the others

letting them all sleep

so He could spend time with God

in the peace, uninterrupted

Jesus stealing away

in the darkness, in the quiet

early in the morning

while it was still dark

to spend time with God

Jesus was alone with God

separated from the disciples

needing the alone time

to drink the living waters

to speak directly to God.

------

edited August 23, 2014

very early in the morning – v2

August 21, 2014 and August 22, 2014

very early in the morning

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/very-early-in-morning.html

Mark 1:35

“Alone Time with God”

devotion by Kay Robertson

https://www.facebook.com/kay.robertson.507464

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-and-Kay-Robertson/138077799672507

https://www.facebook.com/kaytobertsonforFoodNetwork

https://twitter.com/MissKayDuckD

for August 21, 2014

read August 21, 2014

Duck Commander Daily Devotional

http://www.amazon.com/Duck-Commander-Devotional-Alan-Robertson/dp/1476748683

compiled by Alan Robertson

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alan-Robertson-duck-dynasty/601622119889439

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alan-Robertson/665992033453188

http://duckcommander.com/meet-the-family/al-robertson

https://twitter.com/BeardlessBro

more rocks – v2

we see service

we don’t look at the pile

not wanting to say know

to lifting up our neighbors

for helping them out

we add more rocks

saying yes too quickly

not discerning the tasks

which are a calling of God

saying yes without question

more rocks for the journey

as if more rocks will earn us

a place in heaven

====

edited August 23, 2014

July 29, 2014

more rocks

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/more-rocks.html

edited July 29, 2014

Their stones

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/their-stones.html

edited July 29, 2014

in our wagon

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/in-our-wagon.html

edited July 29, 2014

not ours to carry

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/not-ours-to-carry.html

July 29, 2014

stones that are not ours

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/stones-that-are-not-ours.html

Chapter 4: “The Cure”

Luke 10:41-42

James 1:5 (NIV)

Chapter 3: “The Diagnosis”

Luke 10:41

“Martha you are worried

about many things.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Chapter 2: “Lord, Do You Care?”

Luke 10:40

Psalm 62:8

Chapter 1: “A Tale of Two Sisters”

Luke 10:38-42

Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:25-30

Revelations 3:20 (NKJV)

introductory video and session one of

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/having-a-mary-heart-in-a-martha-world/

https://www.facebook.com/maryheartmarthaworld

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781578562589

by Joanna Weaver

http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com

http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/about/meet-joanna/

http://joannaweaver.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/joanna.weaver.9

https://twitter.com/JoannaWeaverBks

pastor spouse to John Weaver

https://www.facebook.com/john.weaver.71216

Hamilton Assembly of God

http://www.hamiltonag.org/

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

gasping for air – v2

out of breath, tired

worn out from struggle

trying to be faithful

but hearing the earth’s song

the memory of the past

a legacy behind me

stalking my days

in pain, struggling

gasping for breath.

====

edited August 23, 2014

gasping for air – v2

August 13, 2014

gasping for air

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/gasping-for-air.html

Devozine for July 28, 2014 to August 3, 2014

www.devozine.org

“+wilderness”

5-second prayer, “God, see us through the wilderness. Amen”

Jeremiah 15:18a

“A Wilderness of Suffering”

devotion by Salina Sheard

and listen to song:

“Jesus Paid It All”

http://devozine.upperroom.org/community/jesus-paid/

for July 31, 2014

read July 31, 2014

James 4:14 (NRSV)

“Tomorrow”

devotion by Melinda Perry

“Reflect”

by Elizabeth Mann

for July 30, 2014

read July 30, 2014

Deuteronomy 32:10 (CEB)

Genesis 21:8-21

Exodus 13:17-22

Matthew 4:1-11

“In the Wilderness”

devotion by Erin Burke

Pray Psalm 136:3a, 15 (NRSV)

Listen to Hillsong’s “Desert Song”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WYK6TxWX7s

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/hillsongunited/desertsong.html

(not precisely the same lyrics as the live performance above)

for July 29, 2014

read July 29, 2014

Patten Methodist Youth Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pattenmethodistyouth/

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

Patten, ME

God is most important – v2

What would we say

if put in the same position

if we had to defend God

if we had to choose our path

Her challenge to him

testing his faith further

a moment in a movie

but part of real life

His answer to her

to her a surprise,

turning from the world

not what she expected

The moment when calling

was right in his eyes

God is most important

within his life

The challenge to us

to stand tall in our faith

to choose as he did

God over all.

====

edited August 23, 2014

God is most important – v2

August 22, 2014

God is most important

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/god-is-most-important.html

August 22, 2014

Be ready to witness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/be-ready-to-witness.html

1 Peter 3:15

Matthew 10:32-22

Matthew 12:48

watching God’s Not Dead Movie

http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GodsNotDeadTheMovie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMjo5f9eiX8

http://watch32.com/movies-online/gods-not-dead-6971

watching God’s Not Dead Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw

posts to:

- Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss/posts/552310011563467

- Twitter

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/501548398781427712

- Blogger

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/gods-not-dead.html

Patten Methodist Youth Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pattenmethodistyouth/

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

Patten, ME

Sharing Answers – v2

God speaking to me

in the words of scripture

Sharing answers

for my life, my journey,

the messages gifted

the answers to my prayers

each day, each reading

the Spirit in there

the God who speaks

to me, through me,

gifting me through these words

a message for my heart

a message to share

the hope within me

God’s Spirit in there.

====

edited August 23, 2014

Sharing Answers – v2

August 23, 2014

Sharing Answers

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/sharing-answers.html

reflecting on daily bible study time

as answer to prayer

speak your hope – v2

don’t be timid

speak your hope

don’t keep it hidden

to someone, somewhere

to be the face of Christ

speak your hope

don’t keep it hidden

your joy eternal

don’t shy away

from a divine appointment

you have something to preach

to shout, to lift up your neighbors

speak your hope

In Jesus the Christ

our assurance of salvation

in God’s own Son.

====

edited August 23, 2014

speak your hope – v2

August 19, 2014

speak your hope

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/speak-your-hope.html

======

Worship in the Park

======

Psalm 133

Psalm 84:5

Revelations 4:11

Revelations 5

Deuteronomy 5:16

Leviticus 19

John 4

1 Peter 3:15

Jeremiah 29:11

Hebrews

Romans 15:13

https://www.facebook.com/events/799726490068276/

praise music led by

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team

Director, Chuck Loucka

https://www.facebook.com/chuck.loucka

opening prayer, prayer over offering, benediction

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

Prayers of the People and Pastoral Prayer

and songs of praise over the offering

by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.

http://www.pattenpentecostalchurch.com/?TargetPage=F8E1F5A8-F60E-4E16-8858-4E5855162C1E

Patten Pentecostal Church

http://www.pattenpentecostalchurch.com/?TargetPage=A5B69EBA-79A5-437B-A966-B308AEAD2388

https://www.facebook.com/groups/300257240070362/

message by Pastor Rodney Lord

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=560883204018039&id=174161846023512

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=560603544046005&id=174161846023512

https://www.facebook.com/rodney.lord.39

https://twitter.com/rodneylord

http://www.freedomgatechurch.net/staff.html

Pastor, Freedom Gate Church

http://www.freedomgatechurch.net/

Pastor, Valley Harvest Church

http://www.midohiovalleychurches.com/churchprofiles/profiles/Valleyharvest.html

August 10, 2014

Patten Academy Park

Patten, ME

======

“A Night to Shine”

======

- 6:30 Community Praise & Worship, featuring Chuck Loucka on piano and special performances by special people to benefit Resting Arms Ministry.

- https://www.facebook.com/pages/His-Resting-Arms/56576824370

- A Love Offering was taken.

the 5th Annual Prayer Chain for the Addicted on the West side of Main St.

- The church bells rang for a half hour and

- John Birmingham played and sang on the Historical Society Porch.

- We ended with The Lord's Prayer TOGETHER!

- a night to Stand with your neighbor and pray for healing.

- LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

http://bangordailynews.com/community/a-night-to-shine/

https://www.facebook.com/events/665821276829716/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-night-to-shine-stetson-memorial.html

https://www.facebook.com/events/304616119719203/

Pages

Saturday, August 23, 2014