Saturday, July 18, 2015

as long as it is the will of God

we serve, we labor
we sow seeds of the Kingdom
we share Christ’s message
as long as it is the will of God
we are chosen, we are appointed
to declare His praises
to a world struggling
a world held by the dark
we offer the one message
that leads to the light.

====
July 18, 2015
as long as it is the will of God

July 18, 2015
you did not choose me
July 12, 2015
We are chosen and equipped by God
to do His work in the world.
(All Scripture Is From the NIV Bible)
Acts 6:1-7
2 Thessalonians 2:13
John 15:15-16
1 Peter 2:9-10
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Exodus 3-4
Acts 22:14-16
and sermon, “I Have Chosen You…”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
-          mystery box – a jar with stones in it and note on outside
-          “a gem within”
video:
text:

by Pastor Ruth Foss
opening video, “Standing on the Promises”
“The River Is Here”  
“Revive Us Again”
“Everlasting”
“Rock of Ages”
offering – “Thou Are Worthy”
closing songs – “This Little Light of Mine” and “When We All Get To Heaven”
Departing Blessing
song after blessing, “Revive Us Again”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 12, 2015
&
July 5, 2015
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
4th of July
Declaration of Independence
and sermon, “Just Say Jesus” and Communion liturgy
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 5, 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 38,400+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

you did not choose me

these words of Jesus
to His disciples
His friends, companions
in the Upper Room,
“You did not choose me,
but I chose you.”
They were chosen
for a purpose
according to the will of God.

====
July 18, 2015
you did not choose me

July 12, 2015
We are chosen and equipped by God
to do His work in the world.
(All Scripture Is From the NIV Bible)
Acts 6:1-7
2 Thessalonians 2:13
John 15:15-16
1 Peter 2:9-10
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Exodus 3-4
Acts 22:14-16
and sermon, “I Have Chosen You…”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
-          mystery box – a jar with stones in it and note on outside
-          “a gem within”
video:
text:

by Pastor Ruth Foss
opening video, “Standing on the Promises”
“The River Is Here”  
“Revive Us Again”
“Everlasting”
“Rock of Ages”
offering – “Thou Are Worthy”
closing songs – “This Little Light of Mine” and “When We All Get To Heaven”
Departing Blessing
song after blessing, “Revive Us Again”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 12, 2015
&
July 5, 2015
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
4th of July
Declaration of Independence
and sermon, “Just Say Jesus” and Communion liturgy
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 5, 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 38,400+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the extent of His power – v2

we are weak, flesh and blood,
our vocabulary of limits;
what we cannot do
the limits of imagination

the extent of His power
the ability of God;
so hard for we humans,
putting Him in a box

defining the Creator
our Master, our God;
by what we can do,
making God human somehow

======
edited July 18, 2015
the extent of His power – v2

July 27, 2013
the extent of His power
inspired by post by
Isaac Kiiza Tibiisima
in gmail chat
At church, we are doing a study on the Ability of God
and the extent of His power. We started with the request
of the double portion from Elisha's story. It has been amazing
We have learnt how to boldly ask God, make daring prayers, etc.”
&
2 Kings 2:9

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,400+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Translucent – Haiku – v3

Our ferns alive, clear,
translucent before dying,
nearly glass windows…

The ferns illumined
before the summer zenith
alive with the light

====
edited July 18, 2015
Translucent – Haiku – v3

(editing version 2)
edited June 15, 2015
Translucent – Haiku – v2
edited June 15, 2015
Translucent Ferns – v2
(after agreeing for this poem to be posted on
Finish poetry blog,
daily haiku meme Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.
“Every Wednesday I have a special feature on my weblog and this week it’s about ferns. I love to use your poem “translucent ferns” for that episode. I hope you will give me permission.”
by poet, Chèvrefeuille
October 21, 2010
Transulent Ferns
October 21, 2010
Translucent – Haiku
on the drive from home to Pembroke Academy
about 7:06
and again on Rte 28
about 9am
Suncook, NH
Pembroke, NH
Allenstown, NH
October 20, 2010



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 38,400+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Bejeweled – v3

Encrusted with jewels,
diamonds, pearls, clear rubies,
bedazzled with sequins,
pearls of ever size and shape

Anointed and adorned
the beauty of the iris, the rhododendron,
the lily, the bud, the bloom
after the rain shower

Drawing eye and lens
to capture the purity of the moment
the flower festooned
bejeweled with the rain.

-----
edited July 18, 2015
Bejeweled – v3

(editing version 2)
edited January 22, 2015
Bejeweled – v2
June 6, 2007 6:53
Bejeweled

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 38,400+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Breaking Camp – v6

At 1:00 in the morning
on a moonlit, starlit night
in northern Maine, on Eagle Lake,
in the Allagash Wilderness.
Silent strangers, worked together
to break camp and set out onto the still water
onto the lake, toward the river, running north,
Heading out into the darkness, heavy dark.

Shadows from the full moonlight
the moon dancing on the lake, teasing, urging
Entrancing the band of canoeists.
Hushed silence ran through all of us
A pact unspoken but honored
a covenant of peace, of stillness, of reverence
knowing somehow within each of us
how special these moments were.

How treasured they are still
that deep memory, that night,
almost forty years later,
as I write these lines.
Remembering so well
how the shivers felt that night
how that sky looked
how that night smelled.

When the only sound was from
pearls of water
falling from my paddle
the keel of the canoe
pushing through the water
and the sound of my heartbeat,
because we were so quiet
on that dark night.

----
edited August 21, 2015
Breaking Camp – v7
(editing version 3)
edited July 18, 2015
Breaking Camp – v6
(editing version 5)
edited April 21, 2015
The Skin of the Lake – v7
(editing original)
edited April 21, 2015
Breaking Camp – v5
(editing original again)
edited April 19, 2015
The Skin of the Lake – v6
(editing original again)
edited April 17, 2015
The Skin of the Lake – v5
(editing version 4)
edited April 16, 2015
Flowing North – v4
(editing version 3)
edited April 16, 2015
the spell of the night – v3
(editing version 2)
edited April 16, 2015
Under the Stars – v3
(editing version 2)
edited April 16, 2015
The Ledges – v5
(editing version 4)
edited April 15, 2015
Breaking Camp – v4
(editing version 3)
Edited May 4, 2013
“The Skin of the Lake – v4
Edited February 23, 2013
“The Skin of the Lake – v3”
Edited February 23, 2013
“The Skin of the Lake – v2”
July 28, 2010
“The Skin of the Lake”
-----
edited April 16, 2015
The Ledges – v5
(editing version 4)
edited May 2, 2013
“the spell of the night – v2”
new poem, February 23, 2013
“the spell of the night”
&
Edited February 23, 2013
“The Skin of the Lake – v3”
Edited February 23, 2013
“The Skin of the Lake – v2”
July 28, 2010
“The Skin of the Lake”
&
Edited May 4, 2013
“Under the Stars – v2”
July 19, 2007 21:28
“Under the Stars”
&
edited April 14, 2014
“Breaking Camp – v3”
(editing original again)
Edited May 4, 2013
“Breaking Camp – v2”
November 23, 2006 18:00
“Breaking Camp”
&
edited December 7, 2014
Free Time – v3
edited May 28, 2014
Free Time – v2
posted May 24, 2004
Free Time
saved March 26, 2004
&
Edited November 2, 2013
“The Ledges – v4”
Edited May 4, 2013
“The Ledges – v3”
Edited September 20, 2012
“The Ledges – v2”
editing the original again
inspired by reading it at Poets’ Corner
monthly poetry reading,
at the Suncook Senior Center
September 10, 2012
 “The Ledges”
Written July 14, 2000.
It is based on a single night in the summer of 1977 when I was part of a group from Claremont's Stevens High School that canoed the Allagash in northern Maine.
Allagash Wilderness Waterway
&
It was the third and final major canoe trip I went on (Saco River in 1975 starting in Fryeburg, ME, Allagash in 1976-July-ish when it was warmer and slower). This trip was earlier, in May, when the water ran faster and the time was spent moving down river with the flow of the river. Nights were a lot cooler and the food was a lot different. Many of us had bad hypothermia the first night because it was a cold rain and none of us had unpacked our bags to pull out the foul weather gear. I remember well having to strip off all of my cold wet clothes and sharing a sleeping bag with another camper. The night written about here started innocently enough. We arrived at this particular campsite on Eagle Lake (or Churchill Lake) earlier than normal, because of the river's current. We all set up each tent and set the dinner fire going. I think it was fried bologna. We all turned in early. We were tired. The moon rose before 11. There were ants and black flies everywhere. One of the campers had to sit by the fire at each campsite to ward off the black flies. Anyway, one by one we all realized we weren't going to sleep any more that night. Before am, we were all pacing around, uneasy. The leaders all agreed to put out for the next camp. We weren't in any rush at am though. This was the way I felt about this night. After we put in mid morning at the next site, I remember the wonderful brook trout we caught and I can still taste it, twenty-three years later. I think these times, when I was moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, when I was canoeing the Saco and then the Allagash were some of the happiest of my high school days. On the 1976 trip, from Massachusetts, I found the canoe paddle I wrote about in the poem "Wind" I always talked about going back to the Allagash; but I have never gone back. It wasn't until 22 years later that I finally got my canoe again.

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 38,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

To reassure us of His love – v5

The whispers of God’s Spirit
God calling to us;
our spirits stirring,
gathering together,
sheep of His flock.

Bearing witness
praises for His provision
singing to the heavens;
joyfully being filled
that we may be poured out.

====
edited July 18, 2015
To reassure us of His love – v5

(Editing original)
edited April 13, 2015
To reassure us of His love – v4
(editing original again)
edited April 9, 2015
To reassure us of His love – v3
(editing original again)
edited April 8, 2015
To reassure us of His love – v2
October 17, 2010
To reassure us of His love
Call to Worship
God calls us together as his children
to reassure us of his love, to encourage
our care for each other, to remind us
of our responsibilities, and to send us out
as people who bear his name, 
Come, let us worship him!
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Psalm 119:105-112 (Common English Bible)
Worship Theme: “We Are the Church”
and message sharing by:
Dick Lombard, “Grace Happens”,
Ray Foss (poem “Preparing is Worship”),
Vicki Kneeland, “Changes”, and
Mary Ann Cioffi, “Reality”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 17, 2010
Laity 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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Restoring Power – v3

The awesome power of God
humbling our hearts;
melting away our guile
our confidence in us.

Restoring us to Him
making our way straight;
washed in His blood
baptized with His love.

Changed like clay on the wheel
the land after a flood;
Turning to Him in response
healed by His infinite love.

======
edited July 18, 2015
Restoring Power – v3

(editing version 2)
edited July 11, 2014
Restoring Power – v2
May 12, 2010
Restoring Power
Psalm 97
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for May 10, 2010 to May 16, 2010,
“The Mystery of the Ascension”,
by Sam Purushotham
for May 12, 2010

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 38,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Myrrh for His Death – v2

At His birth, in His youth
the sum of His life
in the gifts they lay
at His feet, in homage;
Gifts for the King, for God,
for the Sacrifice,
for the Son, Jesus Christ.

Myrrh for His death
the fulfillment of God’s promise
hope for you and me
in the babe in the manger;
Growing to be the Man
hanging on the cross
that redeems us to life.

====
edited July 18, 2015
Myrrh for His Death – v2

January 7, 2013
Myrrh for His Death
January 7, 2013
Gifts for Emmanuel
January 6, 2013
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – v3
Epiphany Sunday
Matthew 2:1-12 (God’s WORD Translation)
Isaiah 60:1-6 (Common English Bible)
Ephesians3:1-12 (Common English Bible)
Worship Theme: “The Light of Grace”
Call to Worship
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication
and sermon – “Through the Eyes of Grace
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 6, 2013
Epiphany 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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

may they see their error – v4

I pray for the bullies
for their pain, their anger
not knowing their stories
what they have lived through;
but knowing there is something
deep in their story
that explains their actions,
the choices they make.

I pray that they would change,
may they see their error,
may they see the world
through their victims’ eyes,
walking more gently
breaking the pattern, the chain
the path they had chosen
His way in the world.

I pray forgiveness
for the bullies,
those who have hurt,
who have lashed out;
those who have swallowed pain
who have acted out
who have broken God’s law
in this life.

I pray that God
would soften,
would change them,
that they would gain
a giving heart, open, ready;
that the Spirit would change them
that they would release their pain
with more healthy choices.

=====
edited July 18, 2015
may they see their error – v4

(editing version 3)
edited March 12, 2015
may they see their error – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited September 29, 2014
may they see their error – v2
merger of two poems
September 29, 2014
I pray forgiveness
September 29, 2014
may they see their error
September 22, 2014 to September 28, 2014
“+bullying”
Devozine for September and October 2014
&
Romans 12:14 (NRSV)
devotion “Learning to Forgive”
by Steve Stein
devotion for September 26, 2014
read September 26, 2014
&
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
devotion “Being Strong”
by Michelle Ankrum
and “Reflect” John 15:18 (NIV)
by Mary Lynn Johnson
devotion for September 25, 2014
read September 25, 2014
&
Jude 21a
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
devotion “The Locker”
by Shaun Stevenson
devotion for September 24, 2014
read September 25, 2014
&
Ecclesiastes 4:1 (CEV)
devotion “Scars”
by Wesley Overhults
devotion for September 23, 2014
read September 24, 2014
reread September 25, 2014
&
1 Timothy 4:12
devotion “The Power of Words”
by Rebecca Goodridge
and “Reflect on a Song”
“Act on it”
by Lanny Farmer
devotion for September 22, 2014
read September 24, 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 38,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.