Looking down at my hands – v8

These words of Christ Jesus,
to the ones challenging His piety,
His challenge to cast the first stone,
knowing only He was worthy,
the only One without sin,
choosing not to stand in judgment,
to stone her for adultery, her sin,
her blood in His hands…
 
Standing there, convicted,
with all of the others,
looking down at my hands,
unable to look in Christ’s face,
dropping my stone to the ground,
shame for my acts, my sin,
no longer standing in judgment,
her blood in my hands…
 
So aware of my shame, my sin,
my unworthiness to judge,
to condemn, to convict her,
to stand in His shoes,
to pretend I am God,
not made of earth, of clay,
not standing in judgment
her blood in my hands…
 
Turning, walking away,
leaving my stone behind me
so aware of my sin, not judging,
wanting no part of this,
wanting her to live,
not standing in judgment,
repenting of my own ways,
my blood in my hands…
 
-----------
Edited August 5, 2024
Looking down at my hands – v8
 
Edited August 5, 2024
Looking down at my hands – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/looking-down-at-my-hands-v7.html
edited March 2, 2014
Looking down at my hands – v6
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/looking-down-at-my-hands-v6.html
(editing original again)
Edited September 25, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v5.html
Edited September 19, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v4.html
Edited September 18, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v3.html
(editing original again)
Edited September 13, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v3.html
June 13, 2011
Looking down at my hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-down-at-my-hands.html
&
Edited September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy-v2.html
new poem September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy.html
https://www.facebook.com/StandWithFrank/posts/324730717671030
----
This poem is about my wife and me when we got married
in a civil service on December 17, 2004 in Concord, NH in White Park
and then before our church family at
Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH
http://www.concordwumc.org
on April 23, 2005.
----
We celebrate 2 anniversaries because they both mean a great
deal to us, in very different ways.
I grieve for those who are able to marry civilly in so many
states now, such as NH, but are unable to marry in their
United Methodists churches and for the clergy who are put on trial
for choosing to go against the Discipline to marry them.
&
trials of Rev. Frank Schaefer
http://www.unitedmethodistreporter.com/2013/09/rcm-another-clergy-member-facing-church-trial/
and Rev. Thomas Ogletree
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=13119911
and  Rev. Steve Heiss
http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/08/rev-steve-heiss-.html
&
Edited September 7, 2013
For Offering Love – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/for-offering-love-v2.html
June 22, 2011
For Offering Love
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-offering-love.html
&
Matthew 10:40-42
2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16
Psalm 13
Worship Theme: “All Are Welcome”
and sermon: “Ambassadors for God”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss 
Suncook United Methodist Church
June 26, 2011
Second Sunday in Pentecost
&
note of Cynthia Good
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000252694374
on Keith Olbermann Special Comment
http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/olbermannmarriage.html
and
Passage of gay marriage bill in New York last night
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/gay-marriage-vote-a-milestone-in-new-york/2011/06/24/AGTGZrjH_story.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews&fb_source=home_oneline
&
posting on my Facebook page
“my 'heart' sinks with your continued association with the United Methodist church. God's Word clearly says that the Lord’s command is no females are allowed to be leaders. 1 Cor. 14:33-38; 1 Tim 2:12-3:12. Violating God's Word is not a recommended path to follow.”
&
verdict and judgment in Love on Trial,
http://www.loveontrial.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-On-Trial/190582754298364
the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000572962166
http://www.rmnetwork.org/amy-delong/
&
John 8:1-11
&
June 23, 2011
Able to Breath – unedited
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/able-to-breath-unedited.html
&
John 8:1-11
&
Samuel Thompson’s
http://www.facebook.com/#!/keleayon
Inclusion Essay
shared at the New England United Methodist Church
Annual Conference
http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/195
in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,
June 10, 2011
&
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta UMC
http://rirutaumc.org
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission
 
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, Faith, God, Christ, love, grace, purpose, calling, servant, Love Prevails, law, messenger, caring, service, judging, LGBT, equality, empathy,
 
#poetry #love #grace #openhearts #opendoors #prayer #marriage #God #Christ #LGBT #equality #inclusive #empathy

Looking down at my hands – v7

These words of Christ Jesus,
His challenge to cast the first stone,
but only He was worthy,
the One without sin,
not standing in judgment,
her blood in my hands…
 
Looking down at my hands,
unable to look in His face,
dropping my stone to the ground,
shame for my acts, my sin,
not standing in judgment,
her blood in my hands…
 
My unworthiness to judge,
to stand in His shoes,
to pretend I am God,
not made of earth, of clay,
not standing in judgment
her blood in my hands…
 
Walking away,
aware of my sin,
wanting no part of this,
wanting her to live,
not standing in judgment,
her blood in my hands…
 
-----------
Edited August 5, 2024
Looking down at my hands – v7
 
edited March 2, 2014
Looking down at my hands – v6
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/looking-down-at-my-hands-v6.html
(editing original again)
Edited September 25, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v5.html
Edited September 19, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v4.html
Edited September 18, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v3.html
(editing original again)
Edited September 13, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v3.html
June 13, 2011
Looking down at my hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-down-at-my-hands.html
&
Edited September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy-v2.html
new poem September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy.html
https://www.facebook.com/StandWithFrank/posts/324730717671030
----
This poem is about my wife and me when we got married
in a civil service on December 17, 2004 in Concord, NH in White Park
and then before our church family at
Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH
http://www.concordwumc.org
on April 23, 2005.
----
We celebrate 2 anniversaries because they both mean a great
deal to us, in very different ways.
I grieve for those who are able to marry civilly in so many
states now, such as NH, but are unable to marry in their
United Methodists churches and for the clergy who are put on trial
for choosing to go against the Discipline to marry them.
&
trials of Rev. Frank Schaefer
http://www.unitedmethodistreporter.com/2013/09/rcm-another-clergy-member-facing-church-trial/
and Rev. Thomas Ogletree
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=13119911
and  Rev. Steve Heiss
http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/08/rev-steve-heiss-.html
&
Edited September 7, 2013
For Offering Love – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/for-offering-love-v2.html
June 22, 2011
For Offering Love
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-offering-love.html
&
Matthew 10:40-42
2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16
Psalm 13
Worship Theme: “All Are Welcome”
and sermon: “Ambassadors for God”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss 
Suncook United Methodist Church
June 26, 2011
Second Sunday in Pentecost
&
note of Cynthia Good
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000252694374
on Keith Olbermann Special Comment
http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/olbermannmarriage.html
and
Passage of gay marriage bill in New York last night
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/gay-marriage-vote-a-milestone-in-new-york/2011/06/24/AGTGZrjH_story.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews&fb_source=home_oneline
&
posting on my Facebook page
“my 'heart' sinks with your continued association with the United Methodist church. God's Word clearly says that the Lord’s command is no females are allowed to be leaders. 1 Cor. 14:33-38; 1 Tim 2:12-3:12. Violating God's Word is not a recommended path to follow.”
&
verdict and judgment in Love on Trial,
http://www.loveontrial.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-On-Trial/190582754298364
the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000572962166
http://www.rmnetwork.org/amy-delong/
&
John 8:1-11
&
June 23, 2011
Able to Breath – unedited
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/able-to-breath-unedited.html
&
John 8:1-11
&
Samuel Thompson’s
http://www.facebook.com/#!/keleayon
Inclusion Essay
shared at the New England United Methodist Church
Annual Conference
http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/195
in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,
June 10, 2011
&
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta UMC
http://rirutaumc.org
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission
 
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, Faith, God, Christ, love, grace, purpose, calling, servant, Love Prevails, law, messenger, caring, service, judging, LGBT, equality, empathy,
 
#poetry #love #grace #openhearts #opendoors #prayer #marriage #God #Christ #LGBT #equality #inclusive #empathy

To forgive and to be forgiven – v3

To forgive and to be forgiven
our prayer at their ending
maybe a good place to begin
seeking a life of joy, humble,
Walking with less ego, reflecting,
donning the shoes of another,
with them, walking beside them...
 
Feeling their past, their experience,
how they came to this place, this moment,
repentant, humble, full of grace,
in our own journey, our walk,
Taking off our masks, our false
smiles, our bravado, seeking to be
authentic, more real…
 
----------------  
Edited August 5, 2024
To forgive and to be forgiven – v3
 
edited February 22, 2022
To forgive and to be forgiven – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/to-forgive-and-to-be-forgiven-v2.html
February 22, 2022
To forgive and to be forgiven
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6437456/3744763052260178072
near the end of conversation
between David Whyte and Thomas Hubl
 
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 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, God, faith, Christ, Spirit, grace, love, hope, calling, purpose, prayer, Ephesians 2, believe, trust, David Whyte, Thomas Hubl, empathy
 
#poetry #God #faith #Christ #Spirit #grace #hope #love #calling #purpose #prayer #believe #trust #DavidWhyte #ThomasHubl #empathy

may your pain be my pain

may your pain be my #pain
your grief my grief
may I not be complacent
may I not be complicit
may your #anger be my anger
at the injustice, brutality
for more than 400 years
since the first slave was captured
dragged from their home in Africa
down to the present day

George Floyd
#poem #poetry #empathy

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

I was hungry and you fed me – v3

For someone rejected, ignored

someone disdained,

judged, discarded,

separated, cast out

words of comfort, of challenge -

“I was hungry and you fed me”,

whenever you cared

when someone was brought in

when they were restored

touching the face of God

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

edited August 2, 2019

I was hungry and you fed me – v3

Edited October 11, 2013

I was hungry and you fed me – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-was-hungry-and-you-fed-me-v2.html?m=0

October 16, 2011

I was hungry and you fed me

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-was-hungry-and-you-fed-me.html

Matthew 25:31-40

Blog Action Day 2011 – Food

http://blogactionday.org/

October 16, 2011

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 51,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, hope, love, Methodist, compassion, empathy, gifts, calling, Blog Action Day, world, America, hunger, thirst, food, purpose, disciples, #BAD11

#servant #God #Christ #gifts #salvation #sacrifice #love #grace #Savior #Faith #disciple #food #hunger #calling #compassion #service @BlogActionDay11 #BAD11 #worldfoodday.

His Radical Love – v2

Somehow we forget

the depth of God’s grace,

His radical love changing

the face of the earth

We are to start with empathy,

seeing ourselves in our neighbor,

offering love in Christ’s name

in service and grace

We must take on their struggle,

honoring their humanness,

forgiving even our enemy

going the way of the cross

==========

edited September 10, 2016

His Radical Love – v2

August 29, 2010

His Radical Love

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/08/his-radical-love.html

Luke 13:10-17  

Hebrews 13:1-3, 5-6, 15-16                                

Psalm 112:1-4 (Call to Worship)

Worship Theme: “Treating others with compassion and love.”

and sermon, “I Love You!”

by Pastor Ruth L. Foss

Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

August 29, 2010

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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 41,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, Spirit, grace, hope, love, Methodist, Pastor Ruth Foss, Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Hebrews 13, Luke 13, Psalm 112, compassion, empathy,

#Christ #Faith #God #Spirit #grace #hope #love #Methodist #Hebrews13 #Luke13 #Psalm112 #compassion #empathy @pastorruthfoss

True story of Dr. Prajak Arunthong being able to repay an act of kindness. Must Watch! Humanity Restored. Video by Salha Zain - human compassion and grace

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=687234647970724

True story of Dr. Prajak Arunthong being able to repay an act of kindness.

http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/09/dr-prajak-arunthong-giving-you-never-know-when-its-going-to-come-back-to-you/

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 50,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

All who are thirsty – v3

Standing today,

raising one voice,

shouting into the ether;

sharing a message

that all should be able to drink

That all who are thirsty,

all on the earth,

should come to the water;

that all who are hungry

should be wholly fed

The world able,

if we would believe,

if we would rise together;

to step out in faith

and trust in God

We do not need to horde,

to store up our treasure,

God will provide;

Care for the others

for all those in need

Water enough,

God’s grace sufficient,

all will be provided;

we should be showering

all people with love

Bearing witness,

and bottles of water,

food for the hungry;

a spring should be flowing

in each desert place

======

edited March 26, 2015

All who are thirsty – v3

(editing version 2)

edited March 12, 2014

All who are thirsty – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/all-who-are-thirsty-v2.html

October 15, 2010

All who are thirsty

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/all-who-are-thirsty.html

Blog Action Day 2010 – Water

http://blogactionday.change.org/

http://blogactionday.change.org/blogs/search?search_term=poetry&commit=Search

October 15, 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 36,730+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Streams of Water – 2 – v4

Streams of water

words of real power;

a hope for the nations

waters of God,

flowing over the earth

Love washing

flowing over the planet;

may we remember this day

praying for water,

to the end of the age

All of the world

needing water;

plenty to drink

wells overflowing,

if we act in love

Helping our neighbors

our brothers and sisters;

remembering they too

on the other side of the globe,

need water to drink

=====

edited December 13, 2014

Streams of Water – 2 – v4

(editing version 3)

Edited October 22, 2013

Streams of Water – 2 – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/streams-of-water-2-v3.html

Edited October 14, 2013

Streams of Water – 2 - v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/streams-of-water-2-v2.html

October 15, 2010

Streams of Water - 2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/streams-of-water-2.html

flood watches today

all of New Hampshire

&

Blog Action Day 2010 – Water

http://blogactionday.org/

October 15, 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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 34,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.