Saturday, May 23, 2015

for someone unborn – v2

Dying on the cross
for those who despised Him,
for those who shouted, “Crucify!”,
the Son of the living God
dying on the cross
for someone unborn
all those born after that time

For all of us throughout time
hoping some would share the light,
the Good News of salvation;
hoping we would accept the gift
and pay Christ’s love forward
to others yet unborn
to the end of the age

=====
edited May 23, 2015
for someone unborn – v2

December 31, 2014
for someone unborn
December 22, 2014 to December 28, 2014
“+I am beloved”
Devozine for November and December 2014
&
Romans 5:7-8 (NRSV)
devotion “A Love Story”
devotion by Perrie Tatum
and
devotion “Reflect”
devotion by Elizabeth Mann
devotion for December 25, 2014
read December 28, 2014
&
Isaiah 43:4a
devotion “The Bible Tells Me So”
devotion by Anna Dembowski
and
devotion “Reflect”
The Song of Solomon 6:3a
The Song of Solomon 7:10
devotion by Faith Ware
devotion for December 24, 2014
read December 28, 2014
&
1 John 4:7a (NRSV)
devotion “Beloved of God”
devotion by Cassidy Cloer
devotion for December 23, 2014
read December 28, 2014
&
Ephesians 3:19 (CEV)
John 3:16
devotion “God’s Love in Christ”
devotion by Matthew Smith
devotion for December 22, 2014
read December 28, 2014
&
Youth Group
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 28, 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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the scorch of the fire

living scar tissue
able to touch them;
the scorch of the fire
where we were burned

as in Daniel’s story
within the fiery furnace;
Christ was with us
in our time of trial

but the smell of the smoke
is heavy upon us;
when they touched us
so inappropriately

unlike in Daniel’s story
we carry the smoke upon us;
for most taking many years
even to speak of these moments

the smell of the smoke
in our memory, our nostrils;
guilt, shame, overwhelming
when we were truly innocent

the flames touching, licking,
the flesh of our bodies;
a scar still remaining
from those moments of fire.




================
edited November 12, 2017
behind a mask – v2
November 11, 2017
behind a mask
the allegations in the news about
Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore
and a flood of memories and feelings
&
edited November 12, 2017
the smell of the smoke – 2 – v4
edited June 6, 2015
the smell of the smoke – 2 – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited November 12, 2017
the scorch of fire – v3
edited May 29, 2015
the scorch of fire – v2
edited May 23, 2015
the scorch of the fire
edited May 22, 2015
the smell of the smoke – 2 – v2
May 21, 2015
the smell of the smoke - 2
May 19, 2015 and May 20, 2015
Focus on the Family
radio broadcasts
Helping Your Husband Overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse (Part 1 of 2)
see transcript:
Helping Your Husband Overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse (Part 2 of 2)
With Guests Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe
The piece that caught my attention was the statements about God placing hands on the side of the boy’s heart while being sexually abused.
Unlike the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:1-30, where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had no smell of smoke on them, victims of sexual abuse do have the smell of the smoke of that evil upon them, even as God was with them in the fire.
&
edited November 12, 2017
an unwanted touch – v2
August 20, 2014
an unwanted touch
Devozine for August 18, 2014 to August 24, 2014
“+sexual struggles”
&
Habakkuk 3:1 (GNT)
devotion: “Sexual Abuse”
national abuse hotline
1-800-656-4673
devotion by Kerri Voegeli
for August 19, 2014
read August 19, 2014
&
Edited November 13, 2017
Most still in the shadows – v3
Edited December 9, 2013
Most still in shadows – v2
June 23, 2012
Most still in shadows
&
edited November 13, 2017
Buried within their soul – v2
June 23, 2012
Buried within their soul
&
edited November 13, 2017
How many were watching – v2
June 23, 2012
How many were watching
&
edited November 13, 2017
How many victims – v2
June 23, 2012
How many victims
based on comment by attorney for one of
the Sandusky victims
after the verdict
June 23, 2012
&
edited November 12, 2017
I can understand their anger – v2
November 18, 2011
I can understand their anger
&
edited November 12, 2017
A box around these memories – v2
November 18, 2011
A box around these memories
&
edited November 12, 2017
A Walled off Place – v2
November 18, 2011
A Walled-off Place
&
edited November 12, 2017
Under the Veil of Silence – v3
November 18, 2011
Under the Veil of Silence – v2
November 18, 2011
Under the Veil of Silence
&
edited November 12, 2017
Open the Sealed Records – v2
November 18, 2011
Open the Sealed Records
&
edited November 12, 2017
On that Altar of Football – v2
November 18, 2011
On that Altar of Football
&
edited November 12, 2017
When we worship false Gods – v2
November 18, 2011
When we worship false Gods
&
edited November 12, 2017
At the trough of their power – v2
November 18, 2011
At the trough of their power
Sandusky sexual abuse scandal
and re-victimizing the children
in hearing his defense and seeing him
on the sidelines of the Penn State football games
over and over again
and the same for all adult victims of sexual abuse
hearing these words and these images
and failure of Penn State to release all documents
regarding the scandal
&
edited November 12, 2017
For me, a stranger – v2
November 18, 2011
For me, a stranger
&
edited November 12, 2017
Family Secrets – Revised – v4
edited January 10, 2016
Family Secrets – Revised – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited September 2, 2015
Family Secrets – Revised – v2
6/17/2004
Family Secrets - Revised
In 1973, the same year my grandmother died, I was touched inappropriately
by a stranger on a bike path between my house and the bottle dump where
I liked to go digging. It was over 25 years before I mentioned it to anyone.

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,440 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God, Spirit, Christ, faith, love, child abuse, assault, sex, power, touch, memory, secret, shame, sexual abuse, Roy Moore, Sandusky, law, children, justice, abuse,

#God #faith #love #grace #childabuse #sexual #assault #sex #power #touch #memory #history #mask #hidden #secret #shame #sexualabuse #RoyMoore #Sandusky #law #PennState #children #justice #abuse #family #grooming #poety

offer God praise – v3

offer God glory,
offer God praise,
all of creation
the dust of the earth;
The highest heavens,
all sharing
the same song
Singing one praise.
To God all praise and honor
glory to His name;
The God of creation
is the God of the storm.

------
edited May 23, 2015
offer God praise – v3

(editing version 2)
edited January 8, 2014
offer God praise – v2
January 6, 2014
offer God praise
Psalm 29
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
for January 6, 2014
read January 6, 2014
&
January 6, 2014 to January 21, 2014
“God Has No Favorites”
by Mary A. Avram
&
overview page (with questions)
Psalm 29:1-11
Isaiah 42:1-9
Matthew 3:13-17
Acts 10:34-43

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 37,730+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

out of hiding – v2

the prophet reemerging
away from the wadi;
Relying on the widow
His trust in God.
Going to Zarephath
a prophecy of promise
that there would be enough;
God to provide
all of their needs.

------
edited May 23, 2015
out of hiding – v2

typed September 7, 2013
out of hiding
June 7, 2013
1 Kings 17:8-16
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
June 3, 2013 to June 9, 2013
“God’s Provision”
by Ruth Ann Tippen
June 4, 2013
read June 7, 2013
&
1 Kings 17:8-16
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
June 3, 2013 to June 9, 2013
“God’s Provision”
by Ruth Ann Tippen
June 3, 2013
read June 3, 2013

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 37,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Stagger of the Bumblebee – v2

Like a drunk who had a bit too much
or maybe the dance of the scarecrow;
The uncut scenes of Oz
so long, so long ago.

The stagger of the bumblebee
as if on toddler’s legs;
Lurching from bloom to bloom
finding little peace.

Such urgent work they are on,
never stopping to enjoy;
The beauty of each blossom
no rest for those in flight.

-----
edited May 23, 2015
The Stagger of the Bumblebee – v2

May 26, 2010
The Stagger of the Bumblebee
over the last week or two
watching the bees on the rhododendron
Suncook, NH

& see cut screen of dance of the scarecrow
from the Wizard of Oz

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 37,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Good foot soldiers – v2

Good foot soldiers
good stewards it would seem
following the numbers
a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Closing the plants, the schools,
less and less
the life leaving;
atrophy, dying
Hope stamped down
by present reality.

====
edited May 23, 2015
Good foot soldiers – v2

August 21, 2014
Good foot soldiers
======
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
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer, prayer over offering, benediction
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
&
Prayers of the People and Pastoral Prayer
and songs of praise over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
message by Pastor Rodney Lord
Pastor, Freedom Gate Church
Pastor, Valley Harvest Church
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.
-       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!
sponsored by Jeremiah’s Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
&
Music by Praise Team
led by Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 7, 2014
======
Worship in the Park, 2013
======
Worship Service in the Park – 8/11/2013
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+3%3A17-19&version=NIV
17 
Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.”
and sermon “There Is Hope In Community”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
&
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (rewritten by me, one version)
17 Though the mills may be shuttered
and the forests are empty,
though the fields do not provide
their bounty, their harvest,
though the young are departing
for greener pastures,
18 yet I rejoice in my God
I will be joyful in Christ my Savior.
19 The Creator of the universe is my rock
I am like the deer, its hooves
steady on the Mountain.
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 11, 2013
&
=======
Jeremiah’s Corner
========
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
presentation:
“The Power of Making Good Choices”
by Lois Flewelling
from Empowering Life Ministries
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 2013

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 37,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

for evil to triumph – v2

Evil present, stalking
all of the living;
Evil speaking, seeking,
to harm, to destroy

For evil to triumph
only needing silence;
The righteous afraid
unwilling to speak.

======
edited May 23, 2015
for evil to triumph – v2

May 7, 2015
for evil to triumph
May 7, 2015
Doing nothing - 2
May 7, 2015
when we are silent
May 6, 2015
Keeping Silent
Mark 14:61-62
edited May 14, 2015
when we are silent – v2
May 6, 2015
when we are silent
May 6, 2015
Keeping Silent
Mark 14:61-62
March 10, 2015
Spirit Study
Mark 14:53, 55, 61-68, 70-72
Mark 14:53-72
Lenten book study:
page 52
May 30, 2014
speak truth to power
quote attributed to Edmund Burke,
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing.”
Chapter 3. “Condemned by the Righteous”
24 Hours That Changed the World
by Reverend Adam Hamilton
Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
&
Spirit Study
March 10, 2015
Spirit Study
March 3, 2015
Mark 14:26, 32-42
Mark 14:32a
Lenten book study:
Chapter 2. “Garden of Gethsemane”
by Reverend Adam Hamilton
Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
&
Matthew 26:28
Exodus 24:8
Jeremiah 31:31-34
John 15:15
John 13:3-5
Mark 14:12, 22-25
Lenten book study:
Chapter 1. “The Last Supper”
24 Hours That Changed the World
by Reverend Adam Hamilton
Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
&
other books by Rev. Hamilton studied in Spirit Study groups -
Not A Silent Night
&
The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus
&        
“Final Words from the Cross”

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 37,720+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.