predestined, created

though we are unworthy
manifestly evil, in the flesh,
God blessed us in Christ
predestined, created, redeemed,
we are formed from the dust
molded in our clay, alive,
we are given life in Him
in these promises of God…
 
in wisdom, in revelation,
in the truth of God’s gifts to us
aware how God has blessed us,
how we are protected under His wings,
we can go forward confident,
predestined, created, redeemed,
all eternity lies before us,
in Christ all is revealed…

-----  
June 21, 2025
predestined, created
 
Based on #Ephesians1
Men’s group meeting
June 21, 2025
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Ephesians 1, promises
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer

nowhere is safe – v2 #Ukraine #Russia #Israel #Iran #NorthKorea #USA #NATO

The news only gives us a hint of terror,
forces at work to bring about revolution,
devolution of the ordered universe,
hybrid war, propaganda, actions, events,
madness aligned to bring Armageddon,
The final destruction of this world…
 
War is pervasive, though we may not see its footprints
not looking, not wanting to look, to see the truth,
the consequences of failing to honor our commitment,
Never Again we said, but Never Again is now,
corrosive effects of the human condition,
The sin of man from the beginning, fighting flesh…
 
The world is full of war, though some are hidden,
Below the surface, unrecognized, unrepentant,
pulling back the bandages exposing the pus, the rot,
wounds unhealed, the torture untended,
terror on the ground, flooding the airwaves,
War isn’t the best, but war is what we know…
 
There is not a safe place anymore, nowhere is safe,
from Satan, the Devil, his minions, the evil
that stalks this earth, alive in the present, killing,
premeditated murder, torture, burning genocides,
scorched earth, scar tissue only remaining,
Unhealed as we lean toward Armageddon…
 
---------------
Edited June 21, 2025
nowhere is safe – v2
 
Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Iran, North Korea, China, United States, European Union, NATO…
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain-v2.html
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-phrase-too-often-repeated.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

nowhere is safe

The news only gives us a hint of the terror,
forces at work to bring about revolution,
devolution of the ordered universe,
Forces aligned to bring Armageddon…
 
War is pervasive, though we may not see its footprints
not looking, not wanting to look, to see the truth,
corrosive effects of the human condition,
The sin of man from the beginning, fighting flesh…
 
The world is full of war, though some are hidden,
pulling back the bandages exposes the pus, the rot,
wounds unhealed, the torture untended,
War isn’t the best, but it is what we know…
 
There is not a safe place anymore, nowhere is safe,
from Satan, the Devil, his minions, the evil
that stalks this earth, alive in the present, killing,
Premeditated murder, torture, burning genocides…
 
---------------
June 20, 2025
nowhere is safe
 
Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Iran, North Korea, China, United States, European Union, NATO…
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain-v2.html
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-phrase-too-often-repeated.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa
 

The price of atonement – v2

Christ bore it all, every stone, the stain,
every sin that has been committed
a weight too much to bear for God
the awful price of atonement
Christ bore our stain, our sin,
that we can rise to heaven…
 
Without the cross, the nails,
God’s wrath would be upon us
only through His pain, His death,
can we live again, saved
clean from the stain of our sin
by His blood shed on the cross…
 
The price of atonement was so awful,
healing us through the blood of Jesus,
every stone, every sin ever committed,
in the crown of thrones, the lashes,
in the nails that pierced Him,
all that was needed to set us free…

-----  
Edited June 20, 2025
The price of atonement – v2
 
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
Edited June 20, 2025
Satan seeks to destroy me – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/satan-seeks-to-destroy-me-v2.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
and re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
Edited June 18, 2025
blot out my sin – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/blot-out-my-sin-v2.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
You washed away my sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/you-washed-away-my-sin.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 16, 2025
May His Name protect you
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-his-name-protect-you.html
Based on #Psalm20
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Psalm 51, prayer, confession,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer

Satan seeks to destroy me – v2

I am an unwitting participant
in the evil waged against me
by the choices that I have made
in my weakness giving into the flesh
when I long to be set free…
 
Satan seeks to destroy me
with weapons I give him
my rebellion, my recklessness,
a party to my own destruction
weakness of my flesh…
 
I can only pray to Almighty God
confessing my utter weakness
all the ways I have fought against God;
God alone can save me from myself,
from the judgement of sin upon me…
 
Satan seeks to destroy me,
to remove me from the hand of God,
with my brokenness, my sin,
but God already bought the victory
when Christ climbed my cross…

-----  
Edited June 20, 2025
Satan seeks to destroy me – v2
 
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
and re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
Edited June 18, 2025
blot out my sin – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/blot-out-my-sin-v2.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
The price of atonement
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-price-of-atonement.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
You washed away my sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/you-washed-away-my-sin.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Psalm 51, prayer, confession, sin,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #confession #sin

A phrase too often repeated – v2

a scene far too familiar, almost nightly,
parents whispering in the darkness,
trying not to frighten their children,
families huddled wherever they could,
trying to stay safe, whatever that means…
“a long night ahead”,
a phrase too often repeated,
sounds of terror, of missiles, of drones,
of air raid sirens, of defenses firing,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them, Ukraine…
 
a nation in peril, on edge,
on guard for what is coming,
words of truth, an understatement,
not sleeping in their beds…
sleeping in bomb shelters,
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
“a long night ahead”,
Russia’s rain/reign of terror unending
premeditated murder, mayhem,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
there is no stillness, only fear, anticipation,
quiet shattered too quickly, terror,
missiles sent to destroy them
listening to whistles of the Shaheds…
more than fatigue, despair gripping,
cameras, bodies shaking, flared nostrils
of the influencers recording their truth,
“a long night ahead”, years now
of anguish, of nightly genocide,
screaming into the abyss,
no longer wanting to be brave…
 
---------------
Edited June 20, 2025
A prayer too often repeated – v2
 
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain-v2.html
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa
 

may your cries of pain – v2

May a new day come for Ukraine
with every defender returned to their home
every stolen, kidnapped child brought
back on their native soil, to Ukraina…
 
May your cries of pain in darkness
become shouts of victory in the light
may joy overflow in your hearts, you spirits,
may life renew for your ancient land…
 
May terrors no longer stalk you
the nightmare of genocide ended
may you rise as a people like the phoenix,
May you shine like a Kyivan sunrise…

 
---------------
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
 
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-phrase-too-often-repeated.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

Satan seeks to destroy me

I am an unwitting participant
in the evil waged against me
in my weakness giving into the flesh
when I long to be set free…
 
Satan seeks to destroy me
with weapons I give him
a party to my own destruction
weakness of my flesh…
 
I can only pray to God
confessing my utter weakness
God alone can save me
from the judgement of sin upon me…

-----  
June 19, 2025
Satan seeks to destroy me
 
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
and re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
Edited June 18, 2025
blot out my sin – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/blot-out-my-sin-v2.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
The price of atonement
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-price-of-atonement.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
You washed away my sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/you-washed-away-my-sin.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Psalm 51, prayer, confession, sin,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #confession #sin

no longer wanting to be brave – v2

I hear a deeper cry of these people
those who have stood resolute
that have been forced to be united
those we have prayed for
across the miles and endless terror
this crucible of war, Shahed drone attacks,
sending emoji hugs, praying hands
so little really, tragically, screaming into the void,
when our leaders constantly fail them…
 
They no longer want to be brave, stoic,
a stiff upper lip against the missiles, screaming,
they no longer want to stand resolute against terror
some of them just crying, wanting to run…
they have suffered too much, too long,
while we have lived in comfort,
while we can sleep in our beds free
of attacks, of air raid sirens,
agony of the knowledge they are coming…
 
We must still stand with them
we must call our leaders, pushing,
we must fight to aid them in their fight
but we must redouble our efforts
to get them the aid they need now,
we must shout from the rooftops,
seeking to change the wind
to move our leaders from timidity,
complacency, complicity,
to finally change their plight…
 
---------------
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
 
June 19, 2025
may your cries of pain
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain.html
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-phrase-too-often-repeated.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

may your cries of pain

May a new day come for Ukraine
with every defender returned home
with every stolen, kidnapped child
back on their native soil, Ukraina…
 
May your cries of pain in darkness
become shouts of victory in the light
may joy overflow in your hearts
may life renew for your ancient land…
 
may terror no longer stalk you
the nightmare of genocide ended
may you rise like a people as a phoenix,
May you shine like a Kyivan sunrise…

 
---------------
June 19, 2025
may your cries of pain
 
June 18, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave.html
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-phrase-too-often-repeated.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa
 

blot out my sin – v2

blot out my sin, Lord,
remove it from me
heal me of the pain
shame that I carry…
 
blot out my sin, Lord,
heal my heart within me
send down Your Spirit
to breathe life to me…
 
blot out my sin, Lord,
I confess my weakness
lift me from my pit,
set me on Your path…
 
blot out my sin, Lord,
change me path fully,
lead me Almighty God,
help me be Your servant…

-----  
Edited June 18, 2025
blot out my sin – v2
 
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
The price of atonement
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-price-of-atonement.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
You washed away my sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/you-washed-away-my-sin.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 16, 2025
May His Name protect you
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-his-name-protect-you.html
Based on #Psalm20
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Psalm 51, prayer, confession,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer

They took away my power, my agency – v2

harms committed against me, sin,
directly or indirectly changing my path
my course, every choice of my life
outside my control or giving up control,
whatever might be the case,
they took away my power,
my autonomy, my agency,
I have fought to take it back…
 
in my struggles, in my pain,
in my deep sense of loss, anguish,
even when I feared to follow
Your calling for my life
I have chosen poorly,
I have hurt those I love,
I have acted inappropriately
selfishly, in the flesh, of the body,
to regain an allusion of control…
 
when they took away my power
my autonomy, my sense of self,
I was left out of control, buffeted,
limited by my fears, out of my depth,
unmoored from You, Lord,
a feather in the wind, blown,
wanting so much more
wanting to truly live…

-----  
Edited June 18, 2025
They took away my power, my agency – v2
 
Based on #Isaiah49:15-16
Based on #Matthew22:37-40
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 16, 2025
I have chosen the easy path
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/i-have-chosen-easy-path.html
Based on #Isaiah49:15-16
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 16, 2025
I have been on the wrong path
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/i-have-been-on-wrong-path.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 16, 2025
God knows my pain
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/god-knows-my-pain.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 16, 2025
Christ died to save me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/christ-died-to-save-me.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 16, 2025
Christ took God’s Wrath
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/christ-took-gods-wrath.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 16, 2025
God has always loved me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/god-has-always-loved-me.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
Edited June 13, 2025
Loving this job that I hate – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/loving-this-job-that-i-hate.html
Conversation with re:generation mentor and others
about being underemployed working retail
before Men’s Bible Study June 12, 2025
June 13, 2025
Loving this job that I hate
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/loving-this-job-that-i-hate_13.html
June 10, 2025
Still
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/still.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
June 10, 2025
God gave Jesus for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/god-gave-jesus-for-me.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day
June 10, 2025
God chose to create me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/god-chose-to-create-me.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 6, Day 1
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, calling, purpose, witness, Isaiah 49, Matthew 22,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #calling #purpose #witness

no longer wanting to be brave

I hear a deeper cry of these people
those who have stood resolute
those we have prayed for
across the miles and endless terror
the crucible of war, Shahed drone attacks,
sending emoji hugs, praying hands
when our leaders constantly fail them…
 
The no longer want to be brave
No longer want to stand resolute against terror
They have suffered too much, too long,
While we have lived in comfort,
While can sleep in our beds free
Of attacks, of air raid sirens,
agony of the knowledge they are coming…
 
We must still stand with them
we must fight to aid them in their fight
but we must redouble our efforts
we must shout from the rooftops,
seeking to change the wind
to move our leaders from timidity,
complacency, complicity,
to finally change their plight…
 
---------------
June 18, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave
 
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-phrase-too-often-repeated.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

A phrase too often repeated

parents whispering in the darkness,
trying not to frighten their children,
families huddled wherever they can,
trying to stay safe, whatever that means…
“a long night ahead”,
a phrase too often repeated,
the sounds of missiles, of drones,
of air raid sirens, of defenses firing,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
a nation in peril, on edge,
words of truth, understatement,
not sleeping in their beds,
sleeping in bomb shelters,
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
“a long night ahead”,
Russia’s rain of terror unending
premeditated murder, mayhem,
the danger or Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
quiet shattered, too quickly, terror,
listening to whistles of the Shaheds,
missiles sent to destroy them…
more than fatigue, despair gripping,
cameras, bodies shaking, flared nostrils
of the influencers recording their truth,
“a long night ahead”,
Years now of anguish, of nightly genocide,
Screaming into the abyss,
no longer wanting to be brave…
 
---------------
Edited, recast, June 18, 2025
A phrase too often repeated
 
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #warfare #drones #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

The price of atonement

Christ bore it all, every stone,
every sin that has been committed
a weight too much to bear
the awful price of atonement
Christ bore out stain
that we can rise to heaven…
 
Without the cross, the nails,
God’s wrath would be upon us
only through His pain
can we live again, saved
from the stain of our sin
by His blood shed on the cross…

-----  
June 18, 2025
The price of atonement
 
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
blot out my sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/blot-out-my-sin.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 18, 2025
You washed away my sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/you-washed-away-my-sin.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
June 16, 2025
May His Name protect you
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-his-name-protect-you.html
Based on #Psalm20
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
 
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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Psalm 51, prayer, confession,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer