July 15, 2018
Stetson Memorial UMC
Prequel
to “A Sprout In the Desert”
Inspired
by Marcia McPhee
“Tending
the New Creation”
Psalm
85:8-13
Isaiah
41:17-18; 43:19-8-21 MSG
John 7:37-39; Psalm 107:35 NLT
Psalm
97:1-6; Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV
Leviticus
26:3-5 MSG
“Healing Rain in the Desert”
Let Us Pray…
(Pay for the
Spirits leading and for God to speak through me…)
Please stand for
the reading of the Gospel according to John found in chapter 7 verses 37-39.
Listen to and for the word of God for you and I…His hands, feet and image in
the world…
Jesus
Promises Living Water
37 On the last day,
the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone
who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who
believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of
living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When
he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to
everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because
Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
Healing
rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
Good morning. Lately, we have been talking
about how God wants us to be with each other and with the world…about how we
have a Good, Good Father who loves us with an unquenchable love…no matter what
we do.
We have also talked about how there are
times that we, unfortunately don’t get along with our brothers and sisters…how
we decide to stand divided instead of united…there are people out there that are in need of a healing from the
Master Physician and we are to be the ones to make that appointment for them.
The fact still remains…no one and nothing is too beyond the healing power of
Jesus…EVER. Last week we talked about how when we are sent we will more than
likely run into two things…
1.
People not liking
us...not believing we could be used…sent by Jesus
2.
You will do great
things for the Kingdom as you trust in God to equip you with EVRYTHING you
need.
But, it is hard out in the world. Because
of sin, the world is like a waste land. It is like a desert and we need to learn
to cultivate the land until we see that sprout in the desert. But how do we do
that?
Healing
rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name
Over the next few weeks we are going to try
and answer that question. Once the sprout is visible in the desert, how do we
cultivate that new creation? What is this new creation that needs tending not
only in the world but also within ourselves. I assure you that as we venture
into the wilderness this summer we will find our own places that need its own
healing rain.
Healing
rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain
In Isaiah 43:18-21, the Word states:
16-21 This is
what God says,
the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me.
the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me.
As we move forward into the desert, God
will…God is…creating a new thing. That which seems dry and barren will sprout
forth with life. Where there is nothing but parched desert, God will create
pools…rivers of water…we will be invited to drink deeply of the waters of life.
As in Isaiah 41:17-18 proclaims:
17-18 “The poor and homeless are desperate
for water,
their tongues parched and no water to be found.
But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them,
and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.
I’ll open up rivers for them on the barren hills,
spout fountains in the valleys.
I’ll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond,
the waterless waste into splashing creeks.
their tongues parched and no water to be found.
But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them,
and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.
I’ll open up rivers for them on the barren hills,
spout fountains in the valleys.
I’ll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond,
the waterless waste into splashing creeks.
As we shar the Word and go forth in His
Name, we are encouraged by Isaiah 55:10-11:
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
God’s
Word will never be made void and a sprout of hope, a sprout of love, a sprout
of joy shall appear in the desert…
Lift
your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes, I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I Am
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes, I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I Am
35 But he also turns deserts into pools
of water, the dry land into springs of water. (Psalm 107:35 New Living
Translation (NLT))
Healing
rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain
To be washed in Heaven's rain...
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain
To be washed in Heaven's rain...
We are all in need of healing rain of some
sort. There are too many desert places in the world around us that are in need
of the rain we bring. There are too many places within our own lives that are
in need of water. I propose that we bring a rain storm into the desert as it
begins to sprout with new life…
Healing
rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid...
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid...
Healing
rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid...
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid...
I am inviting you all on a trip…a journey
to the well… There we can be filled to overflowing and bring that healing rain
into a world that is dry and arid. Jesus is calling us from our desert place…
“Anyone
who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who
believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of
living water will flow from his heart.’”
I
am asking you to join me in this… Let it rain down heavens mercy and healing on
you and on me. Let us raise our hands and voices as we come to the mercy seat
and are washed in Heavens Rain….
Let
it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven
[Repeat...Keep singing]
(Psalm 97:1-6)
Open the floodgates of Heaven
[Repeat...Keep singing]
(Psalm 97:1-6)
The
Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory
We want to see Your Glory, God!
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory
We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!
Let
it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven
[Repeat...Keep singing 3x]
Amen!
Open the floodgates of Heaven
[Repeat...Keep singing 3x]
Amen!
July 19, 2018
a sprout in the desert
July 19, 2018
a waste land, a desert
July 19, 2018
Come and Drink
July 15, 2018
Tears of Heaven
July 15, 2018
last of current sermon series and intro to next series –
“A Sprout in the Desert”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 85:8-13
John 7:37-39
Isaiah 41:17-18
Isaiah 43:19-21
Psalm 107:35
Psalm 97:1-6
Isaiah 55:10-11
Leviticus 26:3-5
and sermon: “Healing Rain In the Desert…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation
blog
“God’s Whisper”
blog
Children’s Message
by Julie Hill
Stites
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
July
15, 2018
&
July 14, 2018
why aren’t you sharing
edited July 14, 2018
we are each called, we are all commissioned
July 14, 2018
you are called, you are commissioned
July 14, 2018
we are sent - 3
July 14, 2018
bring them to Christ - 2
July 14, 2018
She had faith
edited July 14, 2018
she will live – 2 – v2
edited July 13, 2018
just place your hands on her – v2
edited July 13, 2018
who touched my robe? – v2
July 12, 2018
who touched my robe?
July 12, 2018
just place your hands on her
July 12, 2018
she will live - 2
July 11, 2018
Please heal my daughter
July 11, 2018
their belief in Jesus
July 11, 2018
healed in an instant
July 11, 2018
she knew she would be healed
July 10, 2018
Come Lord, heal us
July 10, 2018
in her face
July 10, 2018
a new family - 2
July 9, 2018
we may be rejected
edited July 8, 2018
We are called - 2
July 8, 2018
We are sent - 2
July 8, 2018
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 48:1-10
Mark 6:1-13
and sermon: “We Are Sent…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
July
8, 2018
&
edited July 5, 2018
searching for us – 2 – v2
edited July 5, 2018
God will search – v2
July 4, 2018
Shut Up; Don’t Say That
edited/expanded July 4,2018
Because they aren’t Christian
July 4, 2018
Reach out to them
Facebook post of video by Graham Allen
https://www.facebook.com/GrahamAllenOfficial/
“Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”
“Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”
Rant Nation
&
edited July 1, 2018
we must push through our struggles – v2
July 1, 2018
He spoke new words
communion
Great Thanksgiving and prayer before communion
prayer after communion
July 1, 2018
Sunday before July 4th, Independence Day
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 130:1-3
Psalm 30:2
Mark 5:21-34
Jarius and woman bleeding
and sermon: “Healing In His Touch…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation
blog
“God’s Whisper”
blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
July
1, 2018
&
edited July 1, 2018
we must work together – v2
July 1, 2018
we must work together
June 30, 2018
the wedding of Jarrod Cunningham and Chrissy McCarthy
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Ruth 1
1 Corinthians 13
Romans 12:1-3, 9-19
and wedding message
video
part 1 – https://youtu.be/Tj5GKGVX1cM
part 2 – https://youtu.be/w5tEk2sChcY
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
June
24, 2018
&
edited June 30, 2018
we must push through our struggles
edited June 29, 2018
pushing through his struggles – v2
edited June 29, 2018
how blessed we are – v3
edited June 29, 2018
how blessed we are – v2
edited June 29, 2018
how blessed it is – v2
edited June 29, 2018
all the flawed pieces – v3
edited June 28, 2018
I have hope – v2
June 28, 2018
I have hope
edited June 27, 2018
all the flawed pieces – v2
June 27, 2018
all the flawed pieces
edited June 27, 2018
how blessed it is
edited June 27, 2018
how blessed it would be – v2
edited June 26, 2018
how blessed we are
edited June 26, 2018
how blessed we would be – v2
edited June 26, 2018
how blessed we would be
June 26, 2018
how blessed it would be
June 26, 2018
pushing through his struggles
June 24, 2018
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 133
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
and sermon: “Can We Just Get Along Here…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
June
24, 2018
&
June 24, 2018
God cannot do harm
June 24, 2018
God will search
June 24, 2018
searching for us - 2
edited June 24, 2018
This is our perfect Father – v2
edited June 23, 2018
stitched into the family – v2
edited/resorted June 23, 2018
This is our perfect Father
edited June 23, 2018
a more excellent Father – v2
edited June 23, 2018
never too lost – v2
June 23, 2018
searching for us – v2
edited June 21, 2018
our Father runs to each wayward child – v2
June 21, 2018
our Father runs to each wayward child
June 21, 2018
searching for us
June 21, 2018
never too lost
edited June 19, 2018
God runs to us – v3
edited June 19, 2018
the Good Father – v2
June 19, 2018
a more excellent Father
edited June 18, 2018
God runs to us – v2
June 18, 2018
God runs to us
June 18, 2018
the Good Father
edited June 18, 2018
The Perfect Father – v2
June 18, 2018
the perfect father
June 18, 2018
stitched into the family
June 17, 2018
Father’s Day
(and John Wesley’s 315th birthday)
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 20
Luke 15:11-27
the Prodigal Son
and lots of other scripture
on references to God as Father
and sermon: “Good, Good Father”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
(a nickel in
the mystery box – In God We Trust)
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
June
17, 2018
Father’s
Day
&
June 16, 2018
All who do the will of God
June 16, 2018
These are the ones
edited June 16, 2018
the blood of the vine – v2
June 13, 2018
kinship by choice
June 13, 2018
the blood of the vine
June 13, 2018
blood of the vine
June 13, 2018
not by blood
June 13, 2018
not by blood but by choice
June 13, 2018
not of blood but of Spirit
June 10, 2018
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 138
Mark 3:20, 31-35
“The True Family of Jesus” (New
Living Translation)
and sermon: “Family Ties”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
June
10, 2018
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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are
reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for
usage. See all 47,250 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
blood, choice,
Christ, Faith, Family, God, grace, love, Mark 3, Pastor Ruth Foss, Psalm 138,
sacrifice, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope,
#blood #Jesus
#Christ #Spirit #Faith #Family #God #grace #love #Mark3 #PastorRuthFoss
#Psalm138 #sacrifice #prayer #hope #vine #choice #fire #water #flame #bonds
#kinship #children #baptism #adoption #resurrection #Father #Son #life #child
----------
blood, choice,
Christ, Faith, Family, Father, God, grace, love, Luke 15, Pastor Ruth Foss,
Psalm 20, sacrifice, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer,
hope, Father’s Day,
#blood #Jesus
#Christ #Spirit #Faith #Family #God #grace #love #Luke15 #Psalm20 #sacrifice
#prayer #hope #vine #choice #fire #water #bonds #kinship #children #baptism
#adoption #resurrection #Father #Son #life #child #FathersDay #seeking
#ChildrensMessage #sermon #ThomasJefferson #nickel #coin
#America #USA #InGodWeTrust http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61718-childrens-message-nickel-in.html
#Christ #Spirit #Faith #Family #God #grace #love #prayer #hope #vine
#choice #water #bonds #kinship #children #baptism #adoption #Father #Son #life
#child #FathersDay
---------------
blood, choice,
Christ, Faith, Family, Father, God, grace, love, 2 Corinthians 6, Pastor Ruth
Foss, Psalm 133, sacrifice, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church,
prayer, hope,
#blood #Jesus
#Christ #Spirit #Faith #Family #God #grace #love #2Corinthians6 #Psalm133
#sacrifice #prayer #hope #vine #choice #fire #water #bonds #kinship #children
#baptism #adoption #resurrection #Father #Son #life #child #seeking
------------
Christ, Faith,
Family, Father, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, prayer, hope,
marriage, wedding, 1 Corinthians 13, Ruth 1, Romans 12, Jarrod Cunningham,
Chrissy McCarthy,
#Jesus #Christ #Spirit #Faith #Family #God #grace #love
#sacrifice #prayer #hope #vine #choice #bonds #kinship #children #baptism #Father
#Son #life #wedding #marriage #Ruth1 #1Corinthians13 #Romans12 #husband #wife
-------------------
Christ, Faith, Family, Father, Son, Advocate, healer, God,
grace, love, Mark 5, Pastor Ruth Foss, Psalm 130, sacrifice, Spirit, Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, physician, healing,
#God #Spirit #Father #Son #prayer #pray #petitions #faith
#love #grace #offering #witness #testify #Jesus #Family #Mark5 #Psalm130
#sacrifice #hope #children #child #touch #mercy #healing #heal #Christ #power
#compassion #redemption
------
Christ, Faith, Family, Father, Son, Advocate, healer,
God, grace, love, Mark 6, Pastor Ruth Foss, Psalm 48, sacrifice, Spirit,
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, healing,
#sent #Worship #StetsonMemorialUnitedMethodistChursh
#Methodist #Church #NorthernMaineDistrict #Mark6 #God #Spirit #Christ #faith
#love #grace #Patten #Maine #UMC #commissioned #called #disciples #servants
#hope #share #witness #testify
------
Christ, Faith, Family, Father, Son, Advocate, healer,
God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, sacrifice, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church, prayer, hope, healing, desert, water, sprout,
#sent #Worship #StetsonMemorialUnitedMethodistChursh
#Methodist #Church #God #Spirit #Christ #faith #love #grace #Patten #Maine #UMC
#commissioned #called #disciples #servants #hope #share #witness #testify
#desert #water #sprout
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