Tuesday, June 16, 2015

God is with us – 2

We are not alone
we have the Spirit within us
feeding on the nectar
the water within the vine;
God is with us on our journey
God will never leave us
in our walk of faith.

=======================
May 26, 2017
God is with us - 3
Exodus 3:1-12
Ephesians 2:10
Thought of the Day:
“Am I willing to say yes
to God’s purpose for me?”
The Upper Room
“What’s Next?”
by Gail Parker
devotion for May 26, 2017
read May 26, 2017
&
June 16, 2015
God is with us - 2
&
February 22, 2013
God is with us
Matthew 22:39
Isaiah 41:13-16
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“God Is With Us”
by Keri R. Gallinoni
for February 22, 2013
read February 22, 2013


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 44,130 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Spirit, Poetry Where You Live, prayer, Exodus 3, Ephesians 2, purpose, Moses,

#Christ #God #Spirit #love #grace #faith #prayer #Exodus3 #Ephesians2 #purpose #Moses

Believe – v2

Walk in truth,
in your life;
Stand firm, be righteous,
trust in God

Believe, have faith,
trust in God, in yourself;
Do not be chained
shackled by your fears

Walk in mercy,
share in love;
Be gentle with your neighbors
but follow your dreams

Believe, have faith
follow your dreams
Do not let anything
hold you in that prison

Walk gently,
share in good fortune;
Be loving toward everyone
and follow your dreams

====
edited June 16, 2015
Believe – v2

edited June 14, 2015
what dreams do you silence – v2
June 13, 2015
Believe
June 13, 2015
what would be different
June 13, 2015
what would you do
edited June 13, 2015
if we believe more than we fear
June 13, 2015
if we believed more than we feared
June 13, 2015
what dreams do you silence
June 13, 2015
what would you do if you weren’t afraid
key question, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
Valedictorian Address by Mariah Farrington
edited/ merged June 13, 2015
a crossing over – v2
Salutatorian address by Caleb Cullen
graduation
Katahdin Middle High School
June 13, 2015
&
June 10, 2015
crossing through
June 10, 2015
a crossing over
June 10, 2015
ending to begin
June 10, 2015
a new chapter
Baccalaureate
Katahdin Middle High School
June 7, 2015
&
June 10, 2015
as we fix our eyes on Jesus – v2
(merging two poems)
June 10, 2015
we have a hope for a future
June 10, 2015
as we fix our eyes on Jesus
June 10, 2015
an ending, a completion
Third Sunday of Pentecost
Graduate Sunday
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Romans 5:1-5 NIV
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
and sermon, “Finishing Just To Begin. . .”
and recognition of the graduates of 2015, including Caleb Cullen,
with presentations by Terry Pettengill and Pastor Ruth Foss
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
-          mystery box – crayons
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
 “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?”
“Down In My Heart”
“May Jesus Christ Be Praised”
“You Are My King (Amazing Love)” (most of song)
“You Are My King (Amazing Love)” (end of song)
song before offering – “In The Presence”
songs during Communion, “Lord, You Are More Precious Than Silver”
and “Our God”
prayer after Communion
closing song – “My Jesus, I Love You”
Departing Blessing
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
June 7, 2015

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 37,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Physical Contact – v5

Healing for both of them,
different but still the same;
Her hands touching His cloak
His hands on her still young body.
Healing by physical contact
by faith in Him alone;
Something special, divine
about Him alone.
Needing to touch,
to feel His touch;
Healing tactile, real,
through the power of touch.

====
edited June 16, 2015
Physical Contact – v5

(editing original again)
edited April 10, 2015
Physical Contact – v4
(editing version 3)
edited March 14, 2015
Physical Contact – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited January 7, 2015
Physical Contact – v2
June 23, 2008
Physical Contact
Mark 5:21-43 and
Upper Room devotional for June 16, 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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a violent wind – v2

A violent wind, blowing,
a manifestation of power
tongues of fire, descending;
Flames of the Spirit
falling down from heaven
Trying to imagine, to see,
maybe like ball lightning,
alive, upon them, moving;
The Spirit coming in fire
to birth Christ’s church.

====
edited June 16, 2015
a violent wind – v2

May 29, 2015
a violent wind
Pentecost Sunday
the birthday of the Church
Memorial Day
Acts 2:1-11
and sermon, “Remember and Be Filled…!”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
special music, “Memorial Day Tribute”, by Chuck Loucka
closing song in honor of  Memorial Day, “Battle Hymn Of The Republic”

Children’s Message
-          mystery box –
-          Theodore doll, unicorn, and cosmic brownie
video:
text:

by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Thanksgiving
centering song “Surely The Presence”
song “Awesome God”
song “Every Praise”
song “I Sing The Mighty Power of God”
song “Create In Me A Clean Heart”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
May 24, 2015

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 37,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

even if they are right – v3

even if they are right
that they must defend
that they must reclaim land
that their Iron Dome
is defensive, that there
is no other way than invasion
to defend their people;
what about the cost
to the innocent children,
those they put in the middle
we must pray for the children
for the Israeli people
that they may be safe
in their beds at night,
just like their neighbors

even if they are right
that their home is a prison
that the Israelis are the jailers;
we must pray for the children
we must pray for Gaza, the West Bank
for the Palestinian people
that they would have hope
in some just equitable future
safe without walls, restrictions,
with no more shelling
we must pray for the martyrs
the children, the civilians,
for those caught in the middle
those who are driven
from their beds at night

we must pray for the parents
who must bury their children
where human shields
and hospitals are bombed;
we must pray for all of them
caught in the middle
in this perfect storm
where ceasefire brings no peace
and it is all caught on tape
to be splashed round the world
we must pray for them all
for their eternal struggle
fighting for this land
for their birthright
for peace in their lifetime

=====
edited June 16, 2015
even if they are right – v4

(editing version 3)
edited February 14, 2015
even if they are right – v3
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right – v2
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right
(after the end of the 12-hour ceasefire)
edited July 18, 2014
pray for the children
after the ground invasion of Gaza
by Israeli forces
edited July 11, 2014
does it matter who started this
edited July 11, 2014
fish in a barrel, fish with weapons
edited July 10, 2014
Israel’s Future
post of child in rage about the Israeli’s bulldozing his home
in the Gaza Strip
7/10/2014
edited July 10, 2014
the battle foreordained – v2
new poem June 8, 2014
the battle foreordained
Daniel 7
and Men’s Bible Study
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
June 8, 2014
&
edited March 16, 2014
“Innocent Blood – v5”
(editing version 3)
Edited November 26, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v4”
after rereading original inspiration for the poem
Edited November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v3”
November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v2”
after writing several poems on this topic
&
announcement of a cease fire
between Gaza (Hamas) and Israel
November 21, 2012
&
the tragedy of the fighting in Gaza and Israel
and the source of the conflict
in the division of Ishmael and Isaac
the sons of Abraham
&
original poem
January 14 and 15, 2009
“Innocent Blood”
Matthew 2:13-23
and words of Bishop Peter Weaver,
in his Partners in Ministry email
1/14/09,
    THE TERRIBLE VIOLENCE IN THE GAZA STRIP is deeply disturbing.  Hundreds of innocent civilians, including children are being caught in the crossfire. Last week, after we celebrated Epiphany (Jan. 6, the magi visiting Bethlehem) I thought about the rest of Matthew 2 where Herod sets out to kill all the "innocents" under two and Mary, Joseph and Jesus head for Egypt....probably through Gaza!  Both the Palestinians and Israelis fear and react to violence from the other side and to a long history of threats and actions that are indelibly etched in their memories.  Tragically, every additional death and injustice etches new memories in new generations who will grow up with even more hatred and determination to "win", no matter what the means of terrorism or oppression. "An eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind"
       How can peace with justice be found?
       A Quaker saying, based in the Gospel, points the way.  "There can be no peace without reconciliation.  There can be no reconciliation without forgiveness.  There can be no forgiveness without giving up the hope of a better yesterday."  In other words, holding on to the deeply etched bitterness of the past prevents us from embracing a new future of peace.  Nations do it.  Families do it.  Churches do it.  Pray that we might all become peacemakers.  Pray for the land we call "holy."”

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 37,970+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Monday, June 15, 2015

The cord still strong – v2

other threads added
in the legacy behind them
though another string is broken
the strand is still growing
other branches in the vine
many strings remaining
in the cord of their making
a family united, marching,
in the service of the Lord
another string broken
a mortal life ended
but moving on to Glory
as the good Lord intended
another string giving way
now far fewer remaining
but the cord still strong, united
other threads added
joining their journey
marching in Jesus’ name
in the service of the Lord

-----
edited June 15, 2015
The cord still strong – v2
(about the legacy, and other strings added)
new poem January 9, 2013
 “The cord still strong”
edited/new name June 15, 2015
A promotion on to Glory
on the death of the Reverend Theodore (Ted)(Padre) VanPatten
June 13, 2015

&
His last sermon
Genesis 1:1-31 (King James Bible)
John 1:1-13 (King James Bible)
Worship Theme: “God is Real!
Call to Worship (Lectionary Worship Aids /Series IX, Cycle C ©2013)
Unison Prayer (Lectionary Worship Aids /Series IX, Cycle C ©2013)
and sermon – “The Proofs of God”
key words: Amen, Hallelujah
by the Reverend Theodore VanPatten
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 10, 2013
Transfiguration Sunday
Scouting Sunday
&
FB post about Pastor Ted -
posted by his youngest son Joel VanPatten
with link to another page at
with tape of Pastor Ted’s voice, telling story about Korea
June 26, 2014
&
obituary for Nelson (Vern) VanPatten
July 12, 2014
&
Edited September 5, 2013
A promotion in the field – v2
January 9, 2013
A promotion in the field
written by Raymond A. Foss
on the passing of Richard VanPatten
after conversations with the Reverend Theodore VanPatten,
his older brother
January 9, 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 37,970+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.