Poetry Where You Live: 2026

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

#Accept #Help – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

To become well, to receive help,
to change the path of your life...
Reach out, be honest, vulnerable,
admit your brokenness, your failures,
Your inability to fix the damage
chaos that life has brought you
by the choices you have made...
The weights that you carry
are too big a burden on your own
to receive any healing, alone...

Accept help from your brothers...
Reach out, be humble, honest,
tearing the scar tissue off, your secrets,
Your unwillingness to change,
for God above loves you...
Cling to the Spirit within you,
who seeks to guide your steps...
Look to prayer and scripture,
to honest conversation, confession...
God wants to help you become well,
to receive His love, His healing...

-----
Edited March 11, 2026
Accept Help – v2

Based on Psalm 34:18
Based on Psalm 34:8
Based on Psalm 34:4
Based on James 5:15
Based on Psalm 119:5
Based on Proverbs 18:1
Based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Based on Galatians 6:1-2
Based on Proverbs 24:6
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 5, “Accept Help”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 4, Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
March 10, 2026
a cancer spreading
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/a-cancer-spreading.html
Based on Romans 5:12
Based on Romans 3:23
Based on Genesis 4:3-10
Based on Hebrews 11:4,6
Based on Jude 1:11
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 2, Day 1, “Realize the Disease of A Sinful Nature”.
Edited March 10, 2026
one wage – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/one-wage-v2.html
Sermon, “AI: Artificial Injustice”
Edited March 10, 2026
We died in the Garden – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-died-in-garden-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, “Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, “Step Out of Hiding”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 1, “Realize There Is Hope”.
Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Edited March 6, 2026
We must Admit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-must-admit-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
March 3, 2026
across the divide
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/across-divide.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 4, "Let Others into Your Journey.”
March 3, 2026
At the end of ourselves
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/at-end-of-ourselves.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
February 12, 2026
paralyzed, frozen
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/paralyzed-frozen.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 4, Day 2, "Worry: Living in Fear."

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, faith, pray, prayer, isolation, fear, confession, secrets, trust, believe, forgive, change, powerless, admit,

#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

#Gold, #Золото – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #gold #Золото

Золото, golden like their wheat fields
rising from their rich black soil,
Golden, like the vibrant yellow...
half of their sacred flag...

Золото, so many words of beauty,
the majesty of their language,
Words Taras knew so well,
The Bard of his united people...

Золото, the poetry of conviction,
the resolve of these brave people,
Rising like the sun of Donbas,
as it shines across the nation...

Золото, Твої слова — Золото,
“Your words are golden”,
The story of Ukraina, this land,
in the words of Taras Shevchenko....

--------------
Edited March 10, 2026
Gold, Золото – v2

Drafted after seeing notes from my Ukrainian teacher
about expressions with Золото (Gold) within them:
1. Ти золото - “You are gold.”
2. У тебе золоте серце - “You have a heart of gold.”
3. Ти на вагу золота - “You are worth your weight in gold.”
4. Твої слова — Золото - “Your words are golden.”
5. Ти справжнє Золото - “You are pure gold.”
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
This poem was inspired by a note on February 3, 2026, from Oleksandra Moskalenko,
Willem F. Duisenberg Fellow, University of Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Studies,
on LinkedIn, “Shevchenko appears to us almost a prophet,
someone who foresaw this war and believed in our victory.”
Several of his poems speak to that to me, including “The Dream”,
“The Great Grave”, and “To Marko Vovchok”
Edited October 17, 2024
peace in his spirit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/peace-in-his-spirit-v2_26.html
after poem, “peace in his spirit”,
based on the poem, “To Marko Vovchok”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
about Maria Markovich
Edited October 3, 2025
Sing to me, Taras – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/sing-to-me-taras-v3.html
a prayer to Taras Shevchenko
Edited September 30, 2025
Channeling Taras – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/channeling-taras-v6.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
written 1/24/1859
New/edited and posted October 16, 2024
The Great Grave has been opened
Written and posted September 29, 2024
A voice against injustice
typed October 15, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-voice-against-injustice.html
Poems about Ukraine and the book, The Poet of Ukraine,
about the life and poetry of the Bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko,
which I read after Hurricane Helene,
from 9/29/2024 to 10/15/24

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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory, serfdom, muse, prison, gold, Золото,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #gold #Золото

#Gold, #Золото #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

Золото, golden like their wheat fields

Rising from their black soil,
Golden like the yellow
Of their sacred flag...

Золото, so many words of beauty,
The majesty of their language
Words Taras knew so well,
The Bard of his people...

Золото, the poetry of conviction,
The resolve of these united people,
Rising like the sun of Donbas,
As it shines across the nation...

Золото, Твої слова — Золото,
“Your words are golden”,
The story of Ukraina, this land,
In the words of Taras Shevchenko....

--------------
March 10, 2026
Gold, Золото
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/gold.html
Drafted after seeing notes from my Ukrainian
teacher about different expressions with
Золото within them.
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
This poem was inspired by a note on February 3, 2026, from Oleksandra Moskalenko,
Willem F. Duisenberg Fellow, University of Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Studies,
on LinkedIn, “Shevchenko appears to us almost a prophet,
someone who foresaw this war and believed in our victory.”
Several of his poems speak to that to me, including “The Dream”,
“The Great Grave”, and “To Marko Vovchok”
Edited October 17, 2024
peace in his spirit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/peace-in-his-spirit-v2_26.html
after poem, “peace in his spirit”,
based on the poem, “To Marko Vovchok”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
about Maria Markovich
Edited October 3, 2025
Sing to me, Taras – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/sing-to-me-taras-v3.html
a prayer to Taras Shevchenko
Edited September 30, 2025
Channeling Taras – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/channeling-taras-v6.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
written 1/24/1859
New/edited and posted October 16, 2024
The Great Grave has been opened
Written and posted September 29, 2024
A voice against injustice
typed October 15, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-voice-against-injustice.html
Poems about Ukraine and the book, The Poet of Ukraine,
about the life and poetry of the Bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko,
which I read after Hurricane Helene,
from 9/29/2024 to 10/15/24

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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory, serfdom, muse, prison,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

a #cancer spreading #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #sin #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

pernicious, a virus,
a cancer spreading
sin eats at our flesh
defeating our spirit
creating separation
estrangement from God...

every act, every choice,
every word of rebellion
A poison attacking flesh
consuming our bodies
defeating our spirits
separating us from God...

-----
March 10, 2026
a cancer spreading

Based on Romans 5:12
Based on Romans 3:23
Based on Genesis 4:3-10
Based on Hebrews 11:4,6
Based on Jude 1:11
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 2, Day 1, “Realize the Disease of A Sinful Nature”.
Edited March 10, 2026
one wage – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/one-wage-v2.html
Sermon, “AI: Artificial Injustice”
Edited March 10, 2026
We died in the Garden – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-died-in-garden-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, “Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, “Step Out of Hiding”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 1, “Realize There Is Hope”.
March 9, 2026
Accept Help
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/accept-help.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 5, “Accept Help”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 4, Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Edited March 6, 2026
We must Admit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-must-admit-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, faith, pray, prayer, isolation, fear, sin, confession, secrets, trust, believe, forgive, change, powerless, admit,

#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #sin #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

into Your hands - 3 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #denarius #wages #sin #death #grace #salvation #unmerited #gift #sacrifice #mercy

Whatever is good
in Your perfect will
into Your hands
I place my trust
I give my life over
Into Your hands, oh, God...

I surrender my demands
I confess I am broken
my cries for justice
into Your hands of mercy
Whatever You believe is right,
Only Your love, oh, God...

-----
March 10, 2026
into Your hands - 3

Based on Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon, “AI: Artificial Injustice”

Edited March 10, 2026
one wage – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/one-wage-v2.html
Based on Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon, “AI: Artificial Injustice”
North Hills Church
Edited March 10, 2026
We died in the Garden – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-died-in-garden-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, “Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, “Step Out of Hiding”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 1, “Realize There Is Hope”.
March 9, 2026
Accept Help
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/accept-help.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 5, “Accept Help”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 4, Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Edited March 6, 2026
We must Admit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-must-admit-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #denarius #wages #sin #death #grace #salvation #unmerited #gift #sacrifice #mercy

We died in the #Garden – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

We died in the Garden
that choice of Adam, of Eve,
to defy God
to eat of the fruit,
forbidden by the Creator,
to give in to temptation,
the lies of Satan,
sacrificing heaven
on the altar of sin...

We died in the Garden
following our parents,
to defy God
our fate tied to the choice
to eat of the fruit,
forbidden by the Creator,
our lives changed forever
baked in the cake
cursed by their sin...

-----
Edited March 10, 2026
We died in the Garden – v2

Based on Genesis 2:16-17
Based on Genesis 3:6
Based on Psalm 32:5
Based on Genesis 3:11-13
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, “Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, “Step Out of Hiding”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 1, “Realize There Is Hope”.
March 9, 2026
Accept Help
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/accept-help.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 5, “Accept Help”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 4, Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Edited March 6, 2026
We must Admit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-must-admit-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
March 3, 2026
across the divide
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/across-divide.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 4, "Let Others into Your Journey.”

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

one #wage – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #denarius #wages #sin #death #grace #salvation #unmerited #gift #sacrifice #mercy

We toil in the fields, the vineyards,
seeking to grow the Kingdom...
Yet we earn one wage, death
through our journey, our days...
Christ bought us salvation,
our reward in heaven...
Unearned, without merit,
Mercy, God’s gift of grace...

We are not saved by our work,
for we deserve damnation...
We are not paid our eternal wages,
the death we all deserve...
We receive the gift of grace
through the sacrifice of Jesus...
Unearned, without merit,
Mercy, God’s gift of grace...

-----
Edited March 10, 2026
one wage – v2

Based on Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon, “AI: Artificial Injustice”
North Hills Church

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, denarius, wages, sin, death, grace, salvation, unmerited, gift, sacrifice, mercy,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #denarius #wages #sin #death #grace #salvation #unmerited #gift #sacrifice #mercy

Monday, March 09, 2026

Accept Help #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

To become well, to receive help,
admit your brokenness, your failures,
Your inability to fix the damage
the chaos that life has brought you...
The weights that you carry
are too big a burden on your own,
to receive any healing, alone...

Accept help from your brothers,
from God above who loves you,
cling to the Spirit within you,
seeking to guide your steps...
Look at prayer and scripture,
to honest conversation, confession,
God wants to help you to become well,
to receive His love, His healing...

-----
March 9, 2026
Accept Help

Based on Psalm 34:18
Based on Psalm 34:8
Based on Psalm 34:4
Based on James 5:15
Based on Psalm 119:5
Based on Proverbs 18:1
Based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Based on Galatians 6:1-2
Based on Proverbs 24:6
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 5, “Accept Help”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 4, Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
March 9, 2026
We died in the Garden
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-died-in-garden.html
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, “Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, “Step Out of Hiding”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 1, “Realize There Is Hope”.
Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Edited March 6, 2026
We must Admit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-must-admit-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
March 3, 2026
across the divide
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/across-divide.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 4, "Let Others into Your Journey.”
March 3, 2026
At the end of ourselves
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/at-end-of-ourselves.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
February 26, 2026
Defiant
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/defiant.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
February 26, 2026
we are unwilling
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/we-are-unwilling.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
Edited February 21, 2026
if you are willing – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/if-you-are-willing-2-v2.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

We died in the Garden #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

We died in the Garden
that choice of Adam, of Eve,
to defy God
to eat of the fruit,
forbidden by the Creator,
to give in to temptation,
the lies of Satan,
sacrificing heaven
on the altar of sin...

-----
March 9, 2026
We died in the Garden

Based on Genesis 2:16-17
Based on Genesis 3:6
Based on Psalm 32:5
Based on Genesis 3:11-13
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 3, “Face the Damage of Sinful Choices”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, Appendix C, Abuse Supplement.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 2, “Step Out of Hiding”.
re:generation, Step 1, Admit, Week 1, Day 1, “Realize There Is Hope”.
Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Edited March 6, 2026
We must Admit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-must-admit-v2.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
March 3, 2026
across the divide
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/across-divide.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 4, "Let Others into Your Journey.”
March 3, 2026
At the end of ourselves
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/at-end-of-ourselves.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
February 26, 2026
Defiant
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/defiant.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
February 26, 2026
we are unwilling
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/we-are-unwilling.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
Edited February 21, 2026
if you are willing – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/if-you-are-willing-2-v2.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
February 12, 2026
paralyzed, frozen
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/paralyzed-frozen.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 4, Day 2, "Worry: Living in Fear."

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

They chose the #darkness – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

The Light stood among them,
offering them salvation,
But they chose the darkness
believing the lies of the flesh...

God stood with them,
the long-prayed-for Messiah;
Christ spoke plainly,
proclaiming who He is...

They believed the stories
judgment ripe within them...
They rejected Christ Jesus
standing in their midst...

They chose the darkness
denying the Messiah,
They saw Love as blasphemy,
leading to the cross...

-----
Edited March 9, 2026
They chose the darkness – v2

Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, John 8, John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Sunday, March 08, 2026

one wage #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #denarius #wages #sin #death #grace #salvation #unmerited #gift #sacrifice

We toil in the fields, the vineyards,
seeking to grow the Kingdom...
We earn one wage, death,
Christ bought us salvation,
our reward in heaven,
unearned, without merit,
God’s gift of grace...

We are not saved by our work
for we deserve damnation...
We are not paid eternal wages,
We receive the gift of grace
through the sacrifice of Jesus,
unearned, without merit,
God’s gift of grace...

-----
March 8, 2026
one wage

Based on Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon, “AI: Artificial Injustice”
North Hills Church

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, denarius, wages, sin, death, grace, salvation, unmerited, gift, sacrifice,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #denarius #wages #sin #death #grace #salvation #unmerited #gift #sacrifice

Repost: #sisters in arms – v3 #poetry #ArmWomenNow #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #InternationalWomensDay

the metal of their words
their lives, their choices,
sacrificing their dreams,
fidelity to their country,
standing in the breach,
their lives for their people,
but never losing themselves...

sisters in arms, together,
warriors in the battle, united,
standing beside brothers in arms,
joined together, one people,
to defeat this evil, this terror,
fighting valiantly, courageously,
for their nation to survive...

never losing their womanhood,
femininity, their beauty, power,
but choosing to sacrifice, giving,
living for their country, their people,
sure in their purpose, their call,
to stand vigilant, on point,
the tip of the spear...

-------
Edited April 4, 2025
sisters in arms – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/sisters-in-arms-v3.html
written after reading post by defender of Ukraine
about serving as a woman in the army,
for International Women’s Day, March 8, 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, love, girlfriend, fiancée, wife, love poem, International Women’s Day, Arm Women Now, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,

#poetry #ArmWomenNow #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #InternationalWomensDay

Saturday, March 07, 2026

The #hiss of the #meat #poetry #wave #beach #sand #spirit #light #water #earth #fire #wind #air #sky #wood #metal #elements #mystery #hiss #sizzle #ocean #sea #land #susurration #sound #oscillation #imagination #bullets #war #meat

each cut on the slicer,
a sizzle, a hiss, a murmur...
the whiz each incoming round,
before the concussion,
hitting the front-line position...
each receding tide
pulled by the moon...

the hiss of the meat
its cohesion releasing,
quickly cut for commerce...
bullets before striking the ground...
Every wave returning
pulled back into the ocean
with a similar sound wave...

the incongruity of awareness
minds reeling in attention
visualizing a susurration...
the common reverberations...
the oscillation, waves of sounds -
capturing my imagination,
a symmetry, connecting the dots...

----------------
March 7, 2026
The hiss of the meat

This poem was scribbled right after I cut some prosciutto
at the deli counter last night. (And I had thought about the sound
when I had cut different kinds of ham in the past).
The sound of the meat being cut immediately
reminded me of the sound of bullets before impact in Ukraine
and the sound of receding tides, the susurration over the sand...
Edited March 23, 2024
A hiss, a sizzle, over the sand – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-hiss-sizzle-over-sand-v4.html
https://www.facebook.com/792593002/videos/630421232183869/
Edited March 6, 2026
Harrowing Moments – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/harrowing-moments-v3.html
October 2025 Post by Keti Leshkasheli, with bullets creating craters
in the ground right beside her and her unit…
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1132174128904695
Edited March 22, 2024
Focusing on one wave – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/focusing-on-one-wave-v4.html
Edited March 22, 2024
Almost silent over the sand – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/almost-silent-over-sand-v8.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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, beach, sand, wave, spirit, light, water, wind, earth, fire, air, sky, elements, susurration, sound, oscillation, imagination, bullets, war, meat,

#poetry #wave #beach #sand #spirit #light #water #earth #fire #wind #air #sky #wood #metal #elements #mystery #hiss #sizzle #ocean #sea #land #susurration #sound #oscillation #imagination #bullets #war #meat

Friday, March 06, 2026

#Harrowing Moments – v3 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Georgian #fouryears #humansafaris

The truth is never pretty, but gut-wrenching,
anger of bullets, of terror, unending,
relentless, whizzing by, hitting ground,
dirt coming at them, the courageous,
those resolute against the fire,
The genocide of the Russian state…

We must not be complacent,
Neutral in our posture, our acts,
We are complicit in our inaction,
leaving them to the terror…
We must stand with the fighters,
all Defenders of Ukraine…

We must stand with the defenders,
We must give them military aid,
All those who fight evil,
Now, more than ever,
in the harrowing moments
When bullets fly…

--------
Edited March 6, 2026
Harrowing Moments – v3

October 2025 Post by Keti Leshkasheli, with bullets creating craters
in the ground right beside her and her unit…
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1132174128904695
Edited March 6, 2026
civilian targets – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/civilian-targets-v2.html
Edited March 6, 2026
We have failed Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-have-failed-ukraine-v2.html
“In just three days of fighting in the Middle East, more than
800 Patriot missiles were used — more than Ukraine has
received throughout the entire Russian full-scale invasion,
President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing on March 5, 2026.”
New name/edited October 15, 2025
civilian targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-targets.html
reporting and documentary by Caolan Robertson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTnKYTxWOY
October 14, 2025
targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/targets.html
Edited September 1, 2025
our complacency is our complicity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/our-complacency-is-our-complicity_1.html
March 16, 2022 – Bombing of Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol
July 8, 2024 – Attack on Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital, Kyiv
April 4, 2025 – Shelling of the playground in Kryvyi Rih
July 10, 2025 - Human safari FPV drone targeting a one-year-old in Kherson
Edited August 30, 2025
the cost of our silence is measured in children’s lives – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cost-of-our-silence-is-measured-in_30.html
Edited October 7, 2025
We must stand on the side of Freedom – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/we-must-stand-on-side-of-freedom-v2.html
Edited November 29, 2024
the front will be everywhere – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere-v3.html
Quote: “На фронті будуть всі,
aбо фронт буде всюди”
“Everyone will be at the front,
or the front will be everywhere"

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, Georgia, Georgian, four years, human safaris,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Georgian #fouryears #humansafaris

#civilian #targets – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Georgian #fouryears #humansafaris

Nothing is “indiscriminate”,
the attacks, the chaos...
no accident, pure evil,
FPV drones hunting
Human safaris, genocide,
Double-tap attacks,
civilian targets, the elderly,
children in the crosshairs…

Ukraine is in the crosshairs
of cruel naked aggression…
Kherson is in the grip,
of relentless bombardment,
hiding from drones...
A frontline of terror
a land exposed to genocide,
with no end in sight…

Russia’s war crimes,
crimes against humanity,
Russia’s war of attrition
where human life means nothing,
even their meat assaults…
Cruelty at all costs…
They must be stopped,
They must be defeated…

--------
Edited March 6, 2026
civilian targets – v2

Edited March 6, 2026
We have failed Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-have-failed-ukraine-v2.html
“In just three days of fighting in the Middle East, more than
800 Patriot missiles were used — more than Ukraine has
received throughout the entire Russian full-scale invasion,
President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing on March 5, 2026.”
New name/edited October 15, 2025
civilian targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-targets.html
reporting and documentary by Caolan Robertson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTnKYTxWOY
October 14, 2025
targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/targets.html
Edited October 13, 2025
Harrowing Moments – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/harrowing-moments-v2.html
Post of Keti Leshkasheli, with bullets creating craters
in the ground right beside her and her unit…
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1132174128904695
Edited September 1, 2025
our complacency is our complicity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/our-complacency-is-our-complicity_1.html
March 16, 2022 – Bombing of Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol
July 8, 2024 – Attack on Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital, Kyiv
April 4, 2025 – Shelling of the playground in Kryvyi Rih
July 10, 2025 - Human safari FPV drone targeting a one-year-old in Kherson
Edited August 30, 2025
the cost of our silence is measured in children’s lives – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cost-of-our-silence-is-measured-in_30.html
Edited October 7, 2025
We must stand on the side of Freedom – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/we-must-stand-on-side-of-freedom-v2.html
Edited November 29, 2024
the front will be everywhere – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere-v3.html
Quote: “На фронті будуть всі,
aбо фронт буде всюди”
“Everyone will be at the front,
or the front will be everywhere"

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, Georgia, Georgian, four years, human safaris,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Georgian #fouryears #humansafaris

#spitting a #curse #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews #Word #scripture #identity #bastard

spitting a curse
calling Christ a bastard
calling the light darkness
when the Word was alive
standing before them
in the courts of the Temple
proving the scripture
was revealed in Him...

challenging Christ
The exchange became heated
They picked up stones
to kill the Son of God...
Speaking plainly His identity,
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
Giving no quarter, no refuge,
Their lies, their blasphemy...

-----
March 6, 2026
spitting a curse

Based on John 8:41b
Based on John 8:58-59
Based on John 8:19-59
Edited/ rewrite/ new name March 6, 2026
In the presence of light
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/in-presence-of-light.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18:1-7
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/they-chose-darkness.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8:1-59

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, John 8, John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews, Word, scripture, identity, bastard,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews #Word #scripture #identity #bastard

in the #presence of #light #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

as the beginning was written,
Christ’s story unfolding,
God himself, light,
entered this world...

in the presence of light
God speaking to them,
They chose the darkness,
leading others to destruction...

Light stood among them,
offering them salvation,
But they mocked the truth,
believing the lies of the flesh...

God stood in the courts of the Temple,
the long-prayed-for Messiah...
Christ spoke plainly,
stating who He is...

They believed the lies of Satan,
judgment ripe within them...
They rejected Christ Jesus
standing in their midst...

-----
Edited/ rewrite/ new name March 6, 2026
In the presence of light

Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18:1-7
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/they-chose-darkness.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8:1-59

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, John 8, John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

We have #failed #Ukraine – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #history #fouryears #invasion

We have abandoned our ally,
We have left them to the madman,
to the dead souls of their people,
To the brutality of Russia, the devils,
Ancient promises abandonment,
Left to the dread of the skies...

Terror knows no calendar, no pause...
Hell is raining down on them...
Four years of war and counting,
three centuries, truly, twelve years...
We have not given them what they need
To defeat this reign of evil...

Our lives have been unaffected,
while we hesitated, while we paused,
while their nation bleeds in pain...
We have failed Ukraine, these people,
We have not protected them from evil...
Choosing to limit what we give
Fearing endless escalation...

We have turned a blind eye to genocide
To the daily drone and missile attacks...
They have had to fight alone,
We have called it “resilience”,
But what choice have we given them
When they fight for survival...

We force them to fight alone,
without the air defenses needed,
without the Patriot missiles...
in a war for survival...
When we could have armed them to win
To defeat the one same evil...

We must continue to advocate, to cry out
For Hell still rains down on them
We must arm them to more than survive...
when we had the means to help them...
We must finally stand with Ukraine
To defeat the madman in the bunker...

--------
Edited March 6, 2026
We have failed Ukraine – v2

“In just three days of fighting in the Middle East, more than
800 Patriot missiles were used — more than Ukraine has
received throughout the entire Russian full-scale invasion,
President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing on March 5, 2026.”
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
This poem was inspired by a note on February 3, 2026, from Oleksandra Moskalenko,
Willem F. Duisenberg Fellow, University of Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Studies,
on LinkedIn, “Shevchenko appears to us almost a prophet,
someone who foresaw this war and believed in our victory.”
Several of his poems speak to that to me, including “The Dream”,
“The Great Grave”, and “To Marko Vovchok”
A voice against injustice
typed October 15, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-voice-against-injustice.html
Poems about Ukraine and the book, The Poet of Ukraine,
about the life and poetry of the Bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko,
which I read after Hurricane Helene,
from 9/29/2024 to 10/15/24

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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory, four years, invasion,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #history #fouryears #invasion

At the end of ourselves – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

Beyond our pain and sorrow
We are so stubborn...
not giving in, trusting in God
at the end of ourselves,
our struggles, our trials,
We hope for healing
that only comes from God...

We must submit, we must trust,
We must lay our brokenness
our whole lives, transparent,
on the altar of God...
God, in His mercy and grace,
will give us wholeness and healing.
God will repair our broken hearts...

-----
Edited March 6, 2026
At the end of ourselves – v2

Based on Psalm 34:18
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
March 3, 2026
Powerless to change
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Based on Matthew 19:16-30
North Hills Church sermon
Based on Habakkuk 2:2-5
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church sermon
Based on Psalm 34:18
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

They chose the #darkness #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Light stood among them,
offering them salvation
But they chose the darkness
believing the lies of the flesh...

God stood with them,
the long-prayed-for Messiah.
Christ spoke plainly,
stating who He is...

They believed the stories
judgment ripe within them...
They rejected Christ Jesus
standing in their midst...

-----
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness

Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, John 8, John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Powerless to change – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

We are powerless to change,
to repent, to find healing on our own...
We are transformed only in faith and
through the love of Christ Jesus...

On our own, we are lost,
We are beyond redemption,
Yet, in Christ we have life
We have life in abundance...

We must bring out lives,
our brokenness, our sorrow...
We must lay ourselves
on the altar of God...

Heal us, Lord, God, we pray,
We are utterly broken...
We despair in our pain,
the struggles we carry...

We are powerless to change,
So we come to You, Lord Jesus,
We admit we need You,
There is no other way...

We confess we are broken,
but we trust Your infinite love,
We know You have saved us,
that You are with us now...

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Edited March 6, 2026
Powerless to change

re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
Based on Matthew 19:16-30
North Hills Church sermon
Based on Habakkuk 2:2-5
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church sermon
Based on Psalm 34:18
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
February 26, 2026
Defiant
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/defiant.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
and discussion at Samson Society
February 26, 2026
we are unwilling
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/we-are-unwilling.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
Edited February 21, 2026
if you are willing – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/if-you-are-willing-2-v2.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 5, Day 3, "Are you willing?”
February 12, 2026
paralyzed, frozen
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/paralyzed-frozen.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 4, Day 2, "Worry: Living in Fear."

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Dropping Stones...

Aware of their sins, their condemnation,
not fulfilling the Law of Moses...
Aware of His birth, His history,
denying the Messiah before them...

Dropping stones, picking up stones,
standing defiant, in judgment...
Arguing His identity with God,
forgetting the lessons of Job...

In the presence of light,
They chose darkness, the flesh,
the lies they puffed up before Him,
denying every Word He spoke...

Foolishly debating God,
leading others to damnation...
Called out directly in the Temple courts,
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”

Picking up stones...

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Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2

Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, John 8, John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

across the divide – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #isolation #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit

Speak across the circle
across the divide, the distance...
Share your journey with others
to get to the other side...

Be open, transparent,
in sharing your own story...
Others will hear their journey
in the words that you share...

There is hope in community,
in freely sharing, in being present...
We are not meant to walk alone
but to share in each other’s burdens...

So, take a risk, be open,
Share freely with others...
Your story is not unique,
It is just part of your journey...

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Edited March 6, 2026
across the divide – v2

Based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 4, "Let Others into Your Journey.”
March 3, 2026
We hear God’s whisper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/we-hear-gods-whisper.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 2, "Self-Will Versus God’s Will”
March 3, 2026
At the end of ourselves
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/at-end-of-ourselves.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”
March 3, 2026
Powerless to change
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/powerless-to-change.html
re:generation, Step 1, "Admit".
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 6, Day 1, "The Gift of Desperation”

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, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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