Poetry Where You Live: 07/12/2015

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:

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699855156787509/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzccIu8AfmM

text:

https://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2015/07/15/i-have-chosen-you/

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-have-chosen-you.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=700685400037818&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/sermon-i-have-chosen-you-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/621320052185427968

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

Children’s Message

- mystery box – a jar with stones in it and note on outside

- “a gem within”

video:

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699854593454232/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIUKGDxd9nA

text:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=700685400037818&id=174161846023512

by Pastor Ruth Foss

opening video, “Standing on the Promises”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699817153457976/

“The River Is Here”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699817216791303/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goNAieApU5U

“Revive Us Again”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699817280124630/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8Kc2sRCq0

“Everlasting”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699817343457957/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRWgF5UDbjk

“Rock of Ages”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699838886789136/

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

offering – “Thou Are Worthy”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699839370122421/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSui9_HZF50

closing songs – “This Little Light of Mine” and “When We All Get To Heaven”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699847843454907/

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

Departing Blessing

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699841336788891/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0qwaPLbRt0

song after blessing, “Revive Us Again”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/699841543455537/

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

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

Patten, ME

July 12, 2015

July 5, 2015

Seventh Sunday of Pentecost

4^th of July

Declaration of Independence

and sermon, “Just Say Jesus” and Communion liturgy

video:

https://youtu.be/YLjlLA5bia0

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/697685963671095/

text:

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2015/07/just-say-jeusu.html

https://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2015/07/15/just-say-jesus/

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=700685400037818&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/sermon-just-say-jesus-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/621312065521733632

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

Patten, ME

July 5, 2015

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-extent-of-his-power.html

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

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/06/translucent-haiku-v2.html

edited June 15, 2015

Translucent Ferns – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/06/translucent-ferns-v2.html

(after agreeing for this poem to be posted on

Finish poetry blog,

daily haiku meme Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.

http://chevrefeuillescarpediem.blogspot.com/)

“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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/translucent-ferns.html?m=0

October 21, 2010

Translucent – Haiku

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/translucent-haiku.html?m=0

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

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/bejeweled-v2.html

June 6, 2007 6:53

Bejeweled

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/06/bejeweled.html

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/08/breaking-camp-v7.html

(editing version 3)

edited July 18, 2015

Breaking Camp – v6

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/breaking-camp-v6.html

(editing version 5)

edited April 21, 2015

The Skin of the Lake – v7

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-skin-of-lake-v7.html

(editing original)

edited April 21, 2015

Breaking Camp – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/breaking-camp-v5.html

(editing original again)

edited April 19, 2015

The Skin of the Lake – v6

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-skin-of-lake-v6-skin-of-lake-sliced.html

(editing original again)

edited April 17, 2015

The Skin of the Lake – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-skin-of-lake-v5.html

(editing version 4)

edited April 16, 2015

Flowing North – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/flowing-north-v4.html

(editing version 3)

edited April 16, 2015

the spell of the night – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-spell-of-night-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited April 16, 2015

Under the Stars – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/under-stars-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited April 16, 2015

The Ledges – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-ledges-v5.html

(editing version 4)

edited April 15, 2015

Breaking Camp – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/breaking-camp-v4.html

(editing version 3)

Edited May 4, 2013

“The Skin of the Lake – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-skin-of-lake-v4.html

Edited February 23, 2013

“The Skin of the Lake – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-skin-of-lake-v3.html

Edited February 23, 2013

“The Skin of the Lake – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-skin-of-lake-v2.html

July 28, 2010

“The Skin of the Lake”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/07/skin-of-lake.html

-----

edited April 16, 2015

The Ledges – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-ledges-v5.html

(editing version 4)

edited May 2, 2013

“the spell of the night – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-spell-of-night-v2.html

new poem, February 23, 2013

“the spell of the night”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-spell-of-night.html

Edited February 23, 2013

“The Skin of the Lake – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-skin-of-lake-v3.html

Edited February 23, 2013

“The Skin of the Lake – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-skin-of-lake-v2.html

July 28, 2010

“The Skin of the Lake”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/07/skin-of-lake.html

Edited May 4, 2013

“Under the Stars – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/05/under-stars-v2.html

July 19, 2007 21:28

“Under the Stars”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/07/under-stars.html

edited April 14, 2014

“Breaking Camp – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/breaking-camp-v3.html

(editing original again)

Edited May 4, 2013

“Breaking Camp – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/05/breaking-camp-v2.html

November 23, 2006 18:00

“Breaking Camp”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/11/breaking-camp.html

edited December 7, 2014

Free Time – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/free-time-v3.html

edited May 28, 2014

Free Time – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/free-time-v2.html

posted May 24, 2004

Free Time

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/05/free-time.html

saved March 26, 2004

Edited November 2, 2013

“The Ledges – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-ledges-v4.html

Edited May 4, 2013

“The Ledges – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-ledges-v3.html

Edited September 20, 2012

“The Ledges – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-ledges-v2.html

editing the original again

inspired by reading it at Poets’ Corner

monthly poetry reading,

at the Suncook Senior Center

September 10, 2012

“The Ledges”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/ledges.html

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.

http://www.state.me.us/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=2

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/to-reassure-us-of-his-love-v4.html

(editing original again)

edited April 9, 2015

To reassure us of His love – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/to-reassure-us-of-his-love-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited April 8, 2015

To reassure us of His love – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/to-reassure-us-of-his-love-v2.html

October 17, 2010

To reassure us of His love

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/to-reassure-us-of-his-love.html

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/restoring-power-v2.html

May 12, 2010

Restoring Power

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/restoring-power.html

Psalm 97

http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/myrrh-for-his-death.html

January 7, 2013

Gifts for Emmanuel

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/gifts-for-emmanuel.html

January 6, 2013

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/gold-frankincense-and-myrrh-v3.html

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”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/sermon-new-beginnings-by-pastor-ruth.html

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

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

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/may-they-see-their-error-v3.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

edited September 29, 2014

may they see their error – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/may-they-see-their-error-v2.html

merger of two poems

September 29, 2014

I pray forgiveness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-pray-forgiveness.html

September 29, 2014

may they see their error

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/may-they-see-their-error.html

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.

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Saturday, July 18, 2015