I claim the light – v4

Lord, heal me

turn me from this path;

I claim the light

may I walk in You again.

Lord, wash me,

wipe away my shame;

I turn from this path

no more darkness again.

Lord, redeem me,

I claim Your name;

Master of my life please

redeem me again.

----  

edited February 19, 2016

I claim the light – v4

(editing version 2)

edited October 12, 2014

I claim the light – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-claim-light-v3.html

(merging part of “I reject the dark – v2”

and “I claim the light – v2”)

edited October 12, 2014

I claim the light – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-claim-light-v2.html

September 7, 2014

I claim the light

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-claim-light.html

edited October 12, 2014

I reject the dark – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-reject-dark-v2.html

September 7, 2014

I reject the dark

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-reject-dark.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Loosing the Bonds of Darkness – v3

the consequences of night

of suffering and strife

too long my path

the choices that I made.

seeing my glass as half empty

when my glass was full

overflowing with joy

the riches of God.

may I loose the bonds of darkness

may Light hold my hand

walking forward more boldly

toward the Promised Land.

----

edited March 9, 2015

Loosing the bonds of darkness – v3

(merging edits to version 1 and version 2)

edited October 11, 2014

Loosing the bonds of darkness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/loosing-bonds-of-darkness-v2.html

September 7, 2014

Loosing the bonds of darkness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/loosing-bonds-of-darkness.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 36,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

sowing life – v6

I am commissioned

sowing life, light,

is what I am called to do

to share the words

I have been gifted

to scatter the seeds

I have been given

I am to be a balm,

not the salt in the wounds

to heal brokenness,

not make the hurt worse;

I am a flawed vessel, but,

use me Lord, use me

to do Your work.

----

edited February 27, 2015

sowing life – v6

(editing version 2)

edited October 24, 2014

sowing life – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v5.html

edited October 14, 2014

sowing life – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v4.html

(editing version 2)

edited October 4, 2014

sowing life – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v2.html

sowing life (2)

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-life.html

edited October 4, 2014

sowing strife – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-strife-v3.html

September 8, 2014

sowing strife – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-strife-v2.html

September 8, 2014

sowing strife

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-strife.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

&

edited October 4, 2014

Sowing Life – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v3.html

July 29, 2010

Sowing Life

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/07/sowing-life.html

Matthew 13:1-11; 24-30

“Waste and Grace”,

by Rev. Frank Gulinello, Jr.

“ Jesus’ parable of the Sower focuses on

the scattering of the seed.

No matter what kind of ground it falls upon,

whether hardpan or deep rich soil,

God will have a harvest yielding a hundred fold.

So, scattering the seed aimlessly is

not wasteful in God’s economy.”

www.concordwumc.org

Wesley United Methodist Church

Concord, NH

August 1, 2010

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 36,140+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the same message repeating

the same message repeating

being reinforced in the reading

to live as a Christian

to resist temptation

that leads us to sin

the judgment coming

the right and the left

those who follow the world

and those of the cross

striving to walk holy

righteous we pray

seeking the shepherd’s path

in our walk each day

=====

November 2, 2014

the same message repeating

1 John 3:1-10 (again)

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

November 2, 2014

&

1 John 3:1-10

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

October 26, 2014

&

1 John 2:15-29

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

October 19, 2014

&

1 John 2:9-14

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

October 12, 2014

&

1 John 2:7-8

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

October 5, 2014

&

1 John 2:1-6

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

September 28, 2014

&

1 John 1

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

September 14, 2014

&

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 33,240+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

sowing life – v5

sowing life, seeds to the ether

to the internet, the wind,

is what I am called to do

to share the words

I have been gifted

to scatter the seeds

I have been given

from the hand of God

I am to be the balm,

oil on the waters,

sharing love, light

not salt in the wounds

to heal brokenness,

not make the hurt worse;

I am a flawed vessel, but,

use me Lord to do Your work.

----

edited October 24, 2014

sowing life – v5

edited October 14, 2014

sowing life – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v4.html

(editing version 2)

edited October 4, 2014

sowing life – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v2.html

sowing life (2)

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-life.html

edited October 4, 2014

sowing strife – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-strife-v3.html

September 8, 2014

sowing strife – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-strife-v2.html

September 8, 2014

sowing strife

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-strife.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 33,020+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

sowing life – v4

sowing life, seeds to the ether

is what I am called to do

to share the words

I have been gifted

to scatter the seeds

I have been given

I am to be the balm,

not the salt in the wounds

to heal brokenness,

not make the hurt worse;

I am a flawed vessel, but,

use me Lord to do Your work.

----

edited October 14, 2014

sowing life – v4

(editing version 2)

edited October 4, 2014

sowing life – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-life-v2.html

sowing life (2)

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-life.html

edited October 4, 2014

sowing strife – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sowing-strife-v3.html

September 8, 2014

sowing strife – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-strife-v2.html

September 8, 2014

sowing strife

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sowing-strife.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I am an antichrist – v2

I pray I am not the one

but I am an antichrist

when I live in the darkness

when I don’t follow the light

I am not worthy

God alone makes me worthy

putting my chipped clay

back on the wheel

I pray I am not the one

but I am an antichrist

when I hurt my neighbor

when I cause more strife

God makes me worthy

by Christ’s sacrifice

I am made whole again

I am washed clean of my stain

----

edited October 13, 2014

I am an antichrist – v2

September 7, 2014

I am an antichrist

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-am-antichrist.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I claim the light – v3

I reject the dark

I will no longer follow

I will not speak it from my lips

it will not live in my heart.

turn me from this path

I claim the light

Lord, heal me

may I walk in You again.

----  

edited October 12, 2014

I claim the light – v3

(merging part of “I reject the dark – v2”

and “I claim the light – v2”)

edited October 12, 2014

I claim the light – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-claim-light-v2.html

September 7, 2014

I claim the light

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-claim-light.html

edited October 12, 2014

I reject the dark – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-reject-dark-v2.html

September 7, 2014

I reject the dark

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-reject-dark.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I claim the light – v2

Lord, heal me

turn me from this path

I claim the light

may I walk in you again.

Lord, wash me

wipe away my shame

I turn from this path

no more darkness again.

Lord, redeem me

I claim Your name

Master of my life

redeem me again

----

edited October 12, 2014

I claim the light – v2

September 7, 2014

I claim the light

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-claim-light.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I reject the dark – v2

I don’t say it completely

I feel its stain, the weight,

often when it is too late

the words already spoken

I let it slip in

under the door

over the transom

but I do not want it

I reject the dark

I will no longer follow

I will not speak it from my lips

it will not live in my heart.

----

edited October 12, 2014

I reject the dark – v2

September 7, 2014

I reject the dark

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-reject-dark.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

how can I be a Christian – v2

How can I be a Christian

when I carry that weight

how can I say I love Jesus

when I have anger inside

I need to give up the anger

the hurt I carry inside

I need to reject the darkness

and walk into the light

I need to claim Jesus

as the Lord of my life

----

edited October 11, 2014

how can I be a Christian – v2

September 7, 2014

how can I be a Christian

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-can-i-be-christian.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Loosing the Bonds of Darkness – v2

the consequences of night

of suffering and strife

too long my path

seeing my glass as half empty

when my glass was full

may I loose the bonds of darkness

may Light hold my hand

walking forward more boldly

toward the promised land

----

edited October 11, 2014

Loosing the bonds of darkness – v2

September 7, 2014

Loosing the bonds of darkness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/loosing-bonds-of-darkness.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

too long my path – v2

a response too familiar

too long my path

shackles that I carried

shed once and for all

the chains of darkness

too long have I known them

balancing out the light

not letting go of darkness

as if it was an old friend

wanting to be free of them

the shackles, the chains I carried

to be able to embrace the light

the way of the living Christ

----

edited October 11, 2014

too long my path – v2

September 7, 2014

too long my path

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/too-long-my-path.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

no more anger – v2

I renounce the curse

the anger, the hurt,

I choose the light

the path of Jesus Christ

No more anger

I reject thee

now to offer love

in my walk

I will fight the darkness

when the storms come

I want to follow my Savior

my Shepherd in this life

----

edited October 11, 2014

no more anger – v2

September 8, 2014

no more anger

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/no-more-anger.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

may Light hold my hand – v3

I choose a different path

I want to be faithful

no more darkness

no anger, no hate

may Light hold my hand

into the Light, forward,

may the Spirit guide my path

never lingering in darkness

never going astray

from the path you have for us

I have claimed the words

those gifted by God;

but I have not rejected the shackles

the hold that darkness held

on my life, on my soul

I reject them now

the darkness, the world

the ways of my past

going further

into your hands

I give my spirit

into your hands, oh Lord

----

edited October 10, 2014

may Light hold my hand – v3

edited September 15, 2014

may Light hold my hand – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/may-light-hold-my-hand-v2.html

September 7, 2014

may Light hold my hand

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/may-light-hold-my-hand.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,730+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I need to choose the light – v2

I need to choose the light

to walk where Christ walked

to choose the stones He stepped on

to follow the path of life

I need to stand stronger

when the winds come to catch me

I must stand on my faith

when the storms come

I need to choose the light

to reject the path of darkness

too long have I lingered

in the ways of the world

I need to stand stronger

when the world whispers to me

I must stand on my faith

in every situation

----

edited October 10, 2014

I need to choose the light – v2

September 8, 2014

I need to choose the light

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-need-to-choose-light.html

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,730+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Turning the ship

turning the ship

a different direction

moving the glacier

the path being traveled

hope for a future

grounded in Christ

moving the atmosphere

the mood abiding

shifting the paradigm

closer to Christ

changing the air

the water, the filter,

reengineering our plans

the path of our lives.

October 8, 2014

Turning the ship

1 John 2:7-8

1 John 2:1-6

1 John 1

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,700+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Do I give

do I give

without condition

do I want

a return on my investment

do I show

mercy in my dealings

am I a little Christ

in the way of my living

====

October 7, 2014

Do I give

1 John 2:7-8

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

October 5, 2014

&

1 John 2:1-6

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 28, 2014

&

1 John 1

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 14, 2014

&

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,650+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

as if for the first time

when someone asks

for help, our service

compassion on them

as if for the first time

not remembering the past

times they may have hurt you

remembering Christ

His lesson to give

to pray without ceasing

to find that inner reserve

that Spirit within us

calling us to give, to love,

to offer them Jesus

as if for the first time

when we first believed

---

October 7, 2014

as if for the first time

1 John 2:7-8

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

October 5, 2014

&

1 John 2:1-6

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 28, 2014

&

1 John 1

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 14, 2014

&

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,650+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

give again

give generously

without condition

give again

if they ask you

offer grace

a hand of friendship

to all who ask

to all we meet

-----

October 6, 2014

give again

1 John 2:7-8

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

Patten, ME

October 5, 2014

&

1 John 2:1-6

and Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 28, 2014

&

1 John 1

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 14, 2014

&

1 John, 2 John, 3 John

1 John

Men’s Bible Study

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

September 7, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,640+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.