a long night ahead – v3

so many news stories, noise,
capturing the world’s attention,
so many crimes, crises, trauma,
natural disasters in our consciousness…
 
but the reign of terror repeating,
another day, a night of attacks,
we must never forget,
we must stand with them…
 
premeditated murder, mayhem,
the rain of terror unending,
the threat of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
a nation in peril, on edge,
words of truth, understatement,
not sleeping in their beds,
a long night ahead…
 
sleeping in bomb shelters,
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
listening to whistles of the Shaheds,
missiles sent to destroy them…
 
a long night ahead,
a phrase too often repeated,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
---------------
Edited July 19, 2025
a long night ahead – v3
 
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, poem, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin,
 
#Poetry #poem #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #death #dead #wounded #Russia #Putin #SanctionRussia #DefeatRussia

live for the Father

do not fear the reproach of man
to be pleasing in their sight
stand fast in your faith
doing what is right…
 
live for the Father,
for our Creator God in heaven,
stand fast in your faith
staying on the path…
 
stay within the sheepfold
within the arms of Jesus
listen to the Spirit
guiding your every step…
 
stand fast in your faith
cleaving to your Father,
walk rightly on the path
God has written for you…
 
==============
July 19, 2025
live for the Father
 
Based on #Isaiah51:7
Based on #Psalm34:4–6
Based on Psalm 34:1-22
Based on #Proverbs29:25
Based on #Proverbs15:31-32
Based on #John10:1-18
Men’s group meeting, July 19, 2025
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Week 2, Large Group, July 14, 2025
further discussions in Small Group
July 19, 2025
a snare, a trap
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/a-snare-trap.html
Based on #Isaiah51:7
Based on #Psalm34:4–6
Based on #Proverbs29:25
Based on #Proverbs15:31-32
Based on #John10:1-18
Men’s group meeting, July 19, 2025
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Week 2, Large Group, July 14, 2025
further discussions in Small Group
July 18, 2025
In the eyes of God – 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/in-eyes-of-god-2.html
Based on #Proverbs29:25
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Week 2, Large Group, July 14, 2025
further discussions in Small Group
 
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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Proverbs 29, Proverbs15, John 10, Psalm 34, Isaiah 51, sin, confession, prayer, repentance, Fear of Man,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #confession #prayer #repentance #FearofMan

a snare, a trap

fear of man, or approval,
recognition, an idol,
a way of separating
from our rightful worship
of You, Almighty God…
 
a feedback loop, reinforcing,
a field of landmines before us
watching where we step
losing our focus, our desire,
to walk with You, oh Lord…
 
forgetting Your scripture,
your promise of protection,
safe within the sheepfold,
behind the gate of Christ,
our risen Lord and Savior…
 
fear of man controls us
when we lose sight of You, Father,
seeking our identity in the world
not within Your assurance,
life forever more…
 
==============
July 19, 2025
a snare, a trap
 
Based on #Proverbs29:25
Based on #Proverbs15:31-32
Based on #John10:1-18
Men’s group meeting, July 19, 2025
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Week 2, Large Group, July 14, 2025
further discussions in Small Group
July 18, 2025
In the eyes of God – 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/in-eyes-of-god-2.html
Based on #Proverbs29:25
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Week 2, Large Group, July 14, 2025
further discussions in Small Group
 
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, Proverbs 29, Proverbs15, John 10, sin, confession, prayer, repentance, Fear of Man,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #confession #prayer #repentance #FearofMan

In the eyes of God – 2

Fear of Man is an idol,
a way to separate us,
believing in the flesh
in the ways of the serpent
turning away from God…
 
Our focus, our attention,
should be on how God sees us
beautiful in the eyes of God
in the likeness of Jesus,
our risen Lord and Savior…
 
We do not have to fear
how others see us
our identity, who we are
is in how God sees us,
as beloved children…
 
==============
July 18, 2025
In the eyes of God – 2
 
Based on #Proverbs29:25
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Week 2, Large Group, July 14, 2025
July 15, 2025
a casual suggestion
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/a-casual-suggestion.html
Meeting John Cruice,
Pastor of Life Group Ministries,
one of the pastors at North Hills Church
at the Greenville Drive baseball game,
May 31, 2024,
which lead me to the Conquer Series group and
to the Re:generation 12-step program.
&
Edited July 7, 2025
come broken – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/come-broken-v3.html
Based on #Psalm51
And quote from John Bunyan, “The Excellency of a Broken Heart”
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
July 4, 2025
make me a witness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/make-me-witness.html
Based on #Psalm51:13-17
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, Proverbs 25, sin, confession, prayer, repentance, Fear of Man,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #confession #prayer #repentance #FearofMan

a casual suggestion

A chance meeting
not at all random
divine appointments
to change our lives…
 
A casual suggestion
a new group forming
knowing God was working…
divine appointments…
 
Precious moments
divine appointments
changing our lives
onto a new path…
 
Nothing random
in God’s timing
divine appointments
to restore our souls…
 
==============
July 15, 2025
a casual suggestion
 
Meeting John Cruice,
Pastor of Life Group Ministries,
one of the pastors at North Hills Church
at the Greenville Drive baseball game,
May 31, 2024,
which lead me to the Conquer Series group and
to the Re:generation 12-step program.
&
Edited July 7, 2025
come broken – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/come-broken-v3.html
Based on #Psalm51
And quote from John Bunyan, “The Excellency of a Broken Heart”
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
July 4, 2025
make me a witness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/make-me-witness.html
Based on #Psalm51:13-17
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
July 4, 2025
Hold me, oh God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/hold-me-oh-god.html
Based on #Psalm51:10-12
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
July 4, 2025
bring me to wholeness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/bring-me-to-wholeness.html
Based on #Psalm51
re:generation, Step 5, Confession, Week 1, large group meeting
Edited July 4, 2025
Messianic Words – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/messianic-words-v2.html
Based on #Psalm22
Based on #Matthew27:46,
Jesus cries: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
re:generation, Step 6, Repent, Large Group, June 30, 2025
Edited July 4, 2025
The Spirit rejoices – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-spirit-rejoices-v2.html
re:generation, Step 5, Confess, Week 1, Day 3,
“Acknowledging Sins to Yourself”
 
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, sin, confession, prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #confession #prayer

#Ukrainian #Angels – v3

We ache in our spirits, we stop at the images,
all the children taken from Ukraine, their parents,
those kidnapped, stolen, those attacked
in their beds, in the streets, relentless,
premeditated murder by Russia,
drones, missiles, glide bombs…
Ukrainian Angels, innocent children,
A mountain of stuffed animals,
like shoes, glasses piled at Auschwitz,
talisman, too many to number,
so painful to count the loss…
 
Where are the allies, their resolve?
Enormity of the loss, the aching pain,
it is too much to fathom, we cry out,
agony of their terror unending…
Some will argue about how
the war started, about escalation,
complicity of leaders, of allies,
of Vladimir Putin, the monster, but
Arguing is a distraction, a lie,
dulling our resolve, our empathy,
that denies the awful cost…
 
Each one of these precious,
Ukrainian Angels, genocide,
the martyrs, the heroes,
all the innocent children,
taken by the monsters, evil,
murdered by the aggressors…
They cry out for justice…
Never Forgive, Never Forget…
Like Nazi hunters, relentless…
They will be avenged,
as long as it takes… 

 
----------
Edited July 17, 2025
Ukrainian Angels – v3
 
In response to post by General Keith Kellogg, July 16, 2025
https://x.com/generalkellogg/status/1945430450870116750
about the innocent children murdered by Russia
Edited July 16, 2025
Ukraine endures – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/ukraine-endures-v2.html
Address to Ukrainians by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, July 15, 2025
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1945005500203986997
United24 Media post on Ukrainian history
https://x.com/United24media/status/1945117118724182472
Video of 1,000 years of Ukrainian statehood
https://x.com/choucroute_67/status/1945060835732115919
Happy Ukrainian Statehood Day, July 15, 2025
Happy Day of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine
&
Edited July 15, 2025
Delay is Murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/delay-is-murder-v2.html
President Trump’s announced delay on Sanctions on Russia
Edited July 12, 2025
May aid finally come – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/may-aid-finally-come-v2.html
Maksym Furyk, Veteran of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, warned of war in NATO
Edited July 12, 2025
Unrelenting Terror – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/unrelenting-terror-v2.html
Khrystyna Boychuk, an Officer, National Guard of Ukraine, called for more weapons for Ukraine
Edited May 19, 2025
They must each be avenged – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/they-must-each-be-avenged-v3.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
April 30, 2025
War Crimes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/war-crimes.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, war, terror, genocide, Russia, premeditated murder, Stand With Ukraine, justice, drones, Ukraine Recovery Conference, URC, Arm Ukraine, sanctions, children, angels,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #warcrimes #CrimesAgainstHumanity #justice #NeverForget #NeverForgive #ArmUkraine #sanctions #SanctionRussia #children #angels

#Ukrainian #Angels – v2

All the children taken from them,
premeditated murder by Russia,
drones, missiles, glide bombs,
Ukrainian Angels, innocents,
too many to number,
so painful to count…
 
Some will argue about how
the war started, and escalation,
complicity of leaders, of allies,
of Vladimir Putin, the monster,
Arguing is a distraction
that denies the cost…
 
Ukrainian Angels, genocide,
all the innocent children,
murdered by the aggressors…
They cry out for justice,
Never Forgive, Never Forget,
like Nazi hunters, as long as it takes…

 
----------
Edited July 16, 2025
Ukrainian Angels – v2
 
In response to post by General Keith Kellogg, July 16, 2025
https://x.com/generalkellogg/status/1945430450870116750
about the innocent children murdered by Russia
Edited July 16, 2025
Ukraine endures – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/ukraine-endures-v2.html
Address to Ukrainians by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, July 15, 2025
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1945005500203986997
United24 Media post on Ukrainian history
https://x.com/United24media/status/1945117118724182472
Video of 1,000 years of Ukrainian statehood
https://x.com/choucroute_67/status/1945060835732115919
Happy Ukrainian Statehood Day, July 15, 2025
Happy Day of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine
&
Edited July 15, 2025
Delay is Murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/delay-is-murder-v2.html
President Trump’s announced delay on implementing
Sanctions on Russia, on July 14, 2025
Edited July 12, 2025
May aid finally come – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/may-aid-finally-come-v2.html
Twitter post by @yes_ukraine, July 11, 2025
https://x.com/yes_ukraine/status/1943694534304489629
Maksym Furyk, Veteran of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, warned of war in NATO
Edited July 12, 2025
Unrelenting Terror – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/unrelenting-terror-v2.html
and Twitter post by @yes_ukraine July 11, 2025
https://x.com/yes_ukraine/status/1943644762117931019
Khrystyna Boychuk, an Officer, National Guard of Ukraine, called for more weapons for Ukraine
Edited May 19, 2025
They must each be avenged – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/they-must-each-be-avenged-v3.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
April 30, 2025
War Crimes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/war-crimes.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, war, terror, genocide, Russia, premeditated murder, Stand With Ukraine, justice, drones, Ukraine Recovery Conference, URC, Arm Ukraine, sanctions, children, angels,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #warcrimes #CrimesAgainstHumanity #justice #NeverForget #NeverForgive #ArmUkraine #sanctions #SanctionRussia #children #angels

Ukraine endures – v2

In this time, in this sacred moment,
across countless generations,
for 1,000 years, Ukraine endures,
in this place, they hold dear
Ukraina, that Taras sang of,
Cossacks, the Kobzars, the Hetman,
poplars, the children, the maidens,
Yes, Ukraine endures forever…
 
Not a static moment, now, only,
but across time, the generations,
An ancient truth of resolve,
of resilience, of resistance,
in the beating heart of each Ukrainian
together with their homeland
united in their struggle, their defiance,
never submitting to the aggressor…
 
Ukraine endures, a nation,
a sovereign people, Ukrainians,
united in their hearts, their spirits,
in the songs rising within them
Standing to honor their fallen
rising like a Kyivan sunrise,
their flag flying from each flagpole,
Peace over their beloved land…

 
----------
Edited July 16, 2025
Ukraine endures – v2
 
Address to Ukrainians by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy July 15, 2025
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1945005500203986997
Video of 1,000 of Ukrainian statehood
https://x.com/choucroute_67/status/1945060835732115919
July 15, 2025
Happy Ukrainian Statehood Day
Happy Day of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine
July 16, 2025
Ukrainian Angels
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/ukrainian-angels.html
about the innocent children murdered by Russia
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Stand With Ukraine, Ukrainian Statehood Day,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #UkrainianStatehoodDay #StandWithUkraine

Ukraine endures

In this time, in this sacred moment,
across the many generations,
for 1,000 years, Ukraine endures,
in this place they hold dear
Ukraina, that Taras sang of,
the Cossacks, the Kobzars,
poplars, the children, the maidens,
Yes, Ukraine endures forever…
Not a static moment now
but across time, generations,
An ancient truth of resolve,
of resilience, of resistance,
in the beating heart of each Ukrainian
together with their homeland…
Ukraine endures,
united in their hearts
in the songs rising within them
Standing to honor their fallen
rising like a Kyivan sunrise,
Peace over their land…

 
----------
July 16, 2025
Ukraine endures
 
Address to Ukrainians by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy July 15, 2025
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1945005500203986997
Video of 1,000 of Ukraine statehood
https://x.com/choucroute_67/status/1945060835732115919
July 15, 2025
Happy Ukraine Statehood Day
Happy Day of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine
July 16, 2025
Ukrainian Angels
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/ukrainian-angels.html
In response to post by General Keith Kellogg, July 16, 2025
https://x.com/generalkellogg/status/1945430450870116750
about the innocent children murdered by Russia
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Stand With Ukraine, Ukraine Statehood Day,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #UkraineStatehoodDay #StandWithUkraine