held captive by our demons

held captive by our demons

each outcast, the broken
each of us held captive by our demons
defined as other 
as outside of love
no less worthy
as any other;
all sinners
all of us unworthy
of God's great love.

-------------------

edited/new name December 5, 2020

held captive by our demons

September 8, 2020

held captive by their demons

#Luke10:25-37 #Matthew25:31-46 #poetry #poem #God #hope #Spirit #Christ @PastorRuthFoss

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

denying God's power - v2

denying #God's #power - v2

All or nothing

death, estrangement,
life, #resurrection
the #gospel of #Jesus
#God's risen Son.

Nothing halfway
denying #God's power
#death through #Adam,
#life through #Christ
in #heaven, above.

----------------

edited December 5, 2020

denying God’s power – v2

September 9, 2020

denying God’s power

#1Corinthians15 #poetry #poem #hope #Spirit #Christ

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

deliverance is from God - v2

#deliverance is from #God - v2

We must not #boast
in our words, our actions;
Deliverance is only from God,
the source of our #strength.

We must not boast
in our #power, our #victory;
His #glory will shine,
in the darkness, a #mystery.

=============

edited December 5, 2020

deliverance is from God – v2

September 14, 2020

deliverance is from God

#Judges7:1-8 #Jeremiah29:11
https://www.facebook.com/groups/343150586366899/permalink/613259219356033/ #poem #poetry #hope #prayer #pray #God @PastorRuthFoss 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the perfect father - 2 - v2

the perfect father – 2 - v2

The everlasting father

the perfect father

watching over us

protecting, guiding,

calling us home.

The promise of heaven

the feast, the foretaste,

the banquet to come

present in the coming of Jesus

our Savior, our way home.

The guiding Spirit, present,

abiding here with us

indwelling, leading,

preparing our way

the path to go home.

===============

edited December 5, 2020

the perfect father – 2 – v2

December 4, 2020

the perfect father - 2

8 AM Live

https://www.facebook.com/1463754873/videos/10222955318939144/

Isaiah 9:6-9

Isaiah 9, poetry, poem, God, hope, life, Spirit, Christ, calling, salvation, heaven, Advent,

@pastorruthfoss #Isaiah9:6-9 #poetry #poem #God #hope #life #Spirit #Christ #calling #Advent,

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the perfect father - 2

the perfect father - 2

the everlasting father

the perfect father

watching over us

protecting, guiding

calling us home.

the promise of heaven

the foretaste, the feast,

the banquet to come

in the coming of Jesus

our way home.

the guiding Spirit, present,

abiding here with us

indwelling, leading,

preparing our way

the path to go home.

===============

December 4, 2020

the perfect father - 2

8 AM Live

https://www.facebook.com/1463754873/videos/10222955318939144/

Isaiah 9:6-9

Isaiah 9, poetry, poem, God, hope, life, Spirit, Christ, calling, salvation, heaven, Advent,

@pastorruthfoss #Isaiah9:6-9 #poetry #poem #God #hope #life #Spirit #Christ #calling #Advent,

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

we have hope in this darkness

 we have hope in this darkness

We have hope in this darkness

in this time of struggle;

We have the promise of heaven,

eternity, at the end of this life.

We have joy in our struggle

for our God is with us;

God leads, abides with us,

God calls us home.

There is love in the offer

in the coming of Jesus;

We have life in abundance,

now, and in heaven above.

We have peace on the journey

in this time of struggle;

We have the certainty God’s promises

will be fulfilled.

=====================

edited December 4, 2020

we have hope in this darkness

edited December 3, 2020

hope in this darkness – v2

December 3, 2020

hope in this darkness

#Proverbs23:17-18 #poetry #poem #God #hope #life #Spirit #Christ #calling

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

hope in this darkness - v2

 hope in this darkness - v2

Hope in this darkness

this time of struggle

the promise of heaven

eternity at the end of this life.

Joy in our struggle

for God is with us

leading, abiding,

calling us home.

Love in the offer

the coming of Jesus

life in abundance

in heaven above.

Peace on the journey

this time of struggle

certainty God’s promises

will be fulfilled.

=====================

edited December 3, 2020

hope in this darkness – v2

December 3, 2020

hope in this darkness

#Proverbs23:17-18 #poetry #poem #God #hope #life #Spirit #Christ #calling

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

hope in this darkness

hope in this darkness

hope in this darkness
this time of struggle
the promise of heaven
eternity at the end of this life.

joy in our struggle
for God is with us
leading, abiding,
calling us home.

#Proverbs23:17-18 #poetry #poem #God #hope #life #Spirit #Christ #calling

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

our hope is in the Lord our God - v2

our hope is in the Lord our God - v2

Our hope is in the Lord our God

God is our Creator, our Sustainer;
the source of all strength;
God is with us in need
in times of struggle, of strife.

Our hope is in the Lord our God
the Maker of heaven and earth;
God fights for us, God is faithful;
God will not leave or forsake us;
Our trust, our faith, is in God.

#Psalm146:5-7 #poem #poetry #hope #prayer #God

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

now is the day of salvation - v2

now is the day of #salvation - v2

Listen to the #Word of #God
#God's great #love for us;

Now is the day of #salvation 
the moment of #restoration.

Let God #heal, #restore you,
let the #Spirt fill you with #love;

Open your #heart for the #blessing
#Christ's message for us.

#2Corinthians6:2 #Isaiah49:8 #poem #poetry #hope #prayer #America #God

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a kernel of hope - 2

a kernel of hope - 2

a kernel of hope

abides deep within

longing for union

in love, in comity.

a kernel of hope

grows underground

deep within the spirit

of a people, a nation,

in this troubled land.

#poem #poetry #hope #prayer #America #God #faith #calling #comity #UnitedStates

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a malignancy exposed

a malignancy exposed

a malignancy exposed

out in the open

guardrails removed

thundering off the track.

a cataclysm coming

a day of reckoning

hope for rescue

in love and civility.

#poem #poetry #hope #prayer #America #God #faith #calling #comity #UnitedStates

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

live a life fearless - v2

live a life fearless

in love, in victory;
speak your faith freely
of hope, in liberty.

unchained of our fears
the shackles of our doubts;
live a life fearless
worthy of God's heart.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2096806100400276/permalink/3316920415055499/

#poem #poetry #hope #prayer @PastorRuthFoss

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

becoming a baby

becoming a baby

the eternal, God

enterning humanity

becoming a baby, mortal,

the infinite made fragile

becoming like us

taking on human flesh

God incarnate,

God here with us

our Lord Immanuel

becoming a baby

wrapped in human flesh

================

December 2, 2020

becoming a baby

December 2, 2020

entering humanity

December 2, 2020

pilgrims to Bethlehem

December 2, 2020

seeking the Christ child

edited December 1, 2020

returning to the stable - v2

November 29, 2020

returning to the stable

November 29, 2020

Followers of the Way sermon

https://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss/videos/10222916631851991

First Sunday of Advent

poem, poetry, seasons, manger, stable, Christ, baby, babe, God, Spirit, Christmas, Bethlehem, Advent,

#poem #poetry #manger #stable #Christ #baby #babe #God #Spirit #Christmas #Bethlehem #Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

entering humanity

entering humanity

entering humanity

becoming a baby, mortal,

the infinite made fragile

in human flesh

Christ descending

in the form of an infant

the seed of Mary

and the quickening of God

entering humanity

becoming a baby, mortal,

the infinite made fragile

in human flesh

================

December 2, 2020

entering humanity

December 2, 2020

pilgrims to Bethlehem

December 2, 2020

seeking the Christ child

edited December 1, 2020

returning to the stable - v2

November 29, 2020

returning to the stable

November 29, 2020

Followers of the Way sermon

https://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss/videos/10222916631851991

First Sunday of Advent

poem, poetry, seasons, manger, stable, Christ, baby, babe, God, Spirit, Christmas, Bethlehem, Advent,

#poem #poetry #manger #stable #Christ #baby #babe #God #Spirit #Christmas #Bethlehem #Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

pilgrims to Bethlehem

pilgrims to Bethlehem

pilgrims to Bethlehem

journeying with scripture

retracing the steps

of Mary, of Joseph,

to the place of Christ’s birth.

leaving Jerusalem,

their time with the angels,

seeing Mary with Elizabeth

sensing the Holy Spirit

in John’s response.

pilgrims to Bethlehem

each year repeating

walking the road with them

to the birth of our Savior

God here with us.

================

December 1, 2020

pilgrims to Bethlehem

December 1, 2020

seeking the Christ child

edited December 1, 2020

returning to the stable - v2

November 29, 2020

returning to the stable

November 29, 2020

Followers of the Way sermon

https://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss/videos/10222916631851991

First Sunday of Advent

poem, poetry, seasons, manger, stable, Christ, baby, babe, God, Spirit, Christmas, Bethlehem, Advent,

#poem #poetry #manger #stable #Christ #baby #babe #God #Spirit #Christmas #Bethlehem #Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

seeking the Christ child

seeking the Christ child

Seeking the baby

the Christ child

journeying to Bethlehem

for the birth of our Lord

Seeking the Christ child

the babe in the manger

God here with us

come to the earth

Returning to the stable

drawn to the manger

gazing in awe, in worship,

into that baby’s face.

Seeking the baby

born that holy night

familiar steps, repeating,

in the ancient words of scripture

Seeking the Christ child

God walking with humanity

in the baby born to Mary

laid in his manger bed.

================

December 1, 2020

seeking the Christ child

edited December 1, 2020

returning to the stable - v2

November 29, 2020

returning to the stable

November 29, 2020

Followers of the Way sermon

https://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss/videos/10222916631851991

First Sunday of Advent

poem, poetry, seasons, manger, stable, Christ, baby, babe, God, Spirit, Christmas, Bethlehem, Advent,

poem #poetry #manger #stable #Christ #baby #babe #God #Spirit #Christmas #Bethlehem #Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

returning to the stable - v2

returning to the stable - v2

Journeying to Bethlehem

to the birth of Christ Jesus

seeking the baby

born that holy night.

Returning to the stable

drawn to the manger

gazing reverently

into that baby’s face.

Journeying to Bethlehem

to the birth of Christ Jesus

seeking the baby

born that holy night.

Familiar steps, repeating,

in the ancient words of scripture

God walking with humanity

in the baby laid in his manger bed.

================

edited December 1, 2020

returning to the stable - v2

November 29, 2020

returning to the stable

November 29, 2020

Followers of the Way sermon

https://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss/videos/10222916631851991

First Sunday of Advent

poem, poetry, seasons, manger, stable, Christ, baby, babe, God, Spirit, Christmas, Bethlehem, Advent,

poem #poetry #manger #stable #Christ #baby #babe #God #Spirit #Christmas #Bethlehem #Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

returning to the stable

returning to the stable

Returning to the stable

drawn to the manger

staring reverently

at that baby’s face.

Journeying to Bethlehem

to the birth of Christ

seeking the baby

born that holy night.

Familiar steps, repeating,

the ancient words of scripture

God walking with humanity

the babe laid in his manger bed.

================

November 29, 2020

returning to the stable

November 29, 2020

Followers of the Way sermon

https://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss/videos/10222916631851991

First Sunday of Advent

poem, poetry, seasons, manger, stable, Christ, baby, babe, God, Spirit, Christmas, Bethlehem, Advent,

poem #poetry #manger #stable #Christ #baby #babe #God #Spirit #Christmas #Bethlehem #Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 52,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.