You took my home

You stole my faith
You took my home
The place I found meaning
The space I touched God.
 
You rained down evil
You justified hate
Making me homeless
Leaving me with regret.
 
--------------

May 15, 2023

You took my home

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/05/you-took-my-home.html

 

poetry, UMC, NEUMC, faith, family, home, God, ostracism, apostacy, heresy, prejudice, racism, sexism, money,

 

#poetry #UMC #NEUMC #faith #family #home #God #ostracism #apostacy #heresy #prejudice #racism #sexism #money

 

 

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, and 2023. 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.

How can we atone - v3

How can we atone for
our past, our nation's failures
real injustice promulgated
hate, racism, oppression
for countless generations;
a curse, a disease, this legacy
upon our people, this nation
from our very beginnings
a divide, our original sin.

How can we atone
now, in this painful moment,
to change, to transform,
to repent of our sins;
we stand divided, walls between us
separate camps, belief structures,
not seeing one path forward
a way through this valley
this gulf we have created.

How can we atone
how can we repair the breach
how can we come together
so much to do, to change,
so many wrongs to be righted;
so much of our dream of America
the words needing meaning
to achieve our destiny
as individuals, as a people.

How can we atone
inspite of so many voices
angry voices shouting
so much pain, injustice,
over so many generations;
we must start now, this instant,
in this time, in this moment;
America can be much better
than our long history.

‐---------
edited July 15, 2020
How can we atone - v3

edited July 14, 2020
We must atone

edited July 14, 2020
How can we atone - v2

July 14, 2020
How can we atone

‐----------
poem, poetry, America, Declaration of Independence, prejudice, injustice,slavery, sin, colonization, genocide, eugenics, sterilization, institutionalization, racism, sexism, misogyny, Confederacy, Black Lives Matter, unalienable rights, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, franchise, right to vote, ignorance, cruelty, oppression, Hamilton, Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, Obama, Trump, Biden, Lewis, King Jr, compromise, complicity, corruption, hate, anger, God,

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.

We must atone

We must atone for
our past, our corporate failures
real injustice promulgated
for countless generations;
a curse, a disease, this legacy
upon our people, this nation
from our very beginnings
a divide, our original sin.

We must atone
now, in this moment,
we need to change, to transform,
to repent of our sins;
but we stand divided, separate camps
not seeing one path forward
a way through this valley
this gulf we have created.

We must atone
we must come together
so much to do, to change,
so many wrongs to be righted;
so much of our dream of America
the words needing meaning
to achieve our destiny
as individuals, as a people.

We must atone
inspite of so many voices
so much pain, injustice,
over so many generations;
we must start now, this instant,
in this time, in this moment;
America can be much better
than our history.

‐----------
edited July 14, 2020
We must atone

edited July 14, 2020
How can we atone - v2

July 14, 2020
How can we atone

‐----------
poem, poetry, America, Declaration of Independence, prejudice, injustice,slavery, sin, colonization, genocide, eugenics, sterilization, institutionalization, racism, sexism, misogyny, Confederacy, Black Lives Matter, unalienable rights, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, franchise, right to vote, ignorance, cruelty, oppression, Hamilton, Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, Obama, Trump, Biden, Lewis, King Jr, compromise, complicity, corruption, hate, anger, God,

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.

How can we atone - v2

How can we atone
for our past, our corporate failures
real injustice promulgated
for countless generations;
a curse, a disease, this legacy
upon our people, this nation
from our very beginnings
a divide, our original sin.

How can we atone
now, in this moment,
needing to change, to transform,
to repent of our sins;
but we stand divided, separate camps
not seeing one path forward
a way through this valley
this gulf we have created.

How can we atone
how can we come together
so much to do, to change,
wrongs to be righted;
so much of our dream of America
the words needing meaning
to achieve our destiny
as individuals, as a people.

How can we atone
with so many voices
so much pain, injustice,
over so many generations;
we must start now, this instant,
in this time, in this moment;
America can be much better
than our history.

‐----------
edited July 14, 2020
How can we atone - v2

July 14, 2020
How can we atone

‐----------
poem, poetry, America, Declaration of Independence, prejudice, injustice,slavery, sin, colonization, genocide, eugenics, sterilization, institutionalization, racism, sexism, misogyny, Confederacy, Black Lives Matter, unalienable rights, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, franchise, right to vote, ignorance, cruelty, oppression, Hamilton, Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, Obama, Trump, Biden, Lewis, King Jr, compromise, complicity, corruption, hate, anger, God,

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.

How can we atone

How can we atone
for our past, our failures
injustice perpetuated
for countless generations;
a curse, a disease
upon our people, this nation
from our beginnings
a divide, our original sin.

How can we atone
now, in this moment
needing to change
to repent of our sins;
but divided, separate camps
not seeing a path forward
a way through this valley
that we have created.

How can we atone
how can we come together
so much to do, to change,
wrongs to be righted;
so much of our dreams
the words needing meaning
to achieve our destiny
as people, as a people.

How can we atone
with so many voices
so much pain, injustice,
over so many generations;
needing to start now
in this time, in this moment,
America can be much better
than our history.

---------------
July 14, 2020
How can we atone

How can we #atone
https://t.co/IN5lruAjUZ
#poem #poetry #America #DeclarationofIndependence #prejudice #injustice #slavery #Sin #colonization #genocide #eugenics, #racism #sexism #Misogyny #BlackLivesMatter #unalienableRights #life #HamiltonFilm @DanRather

https://t.co/4YWMnziUv8

‐----------
poem, poetry, America, Declaration of Independence, prejudice, injustice,slavery, sin, colonization, genocide, eugenics, sterilization, institutionalization, racism, sexism, misogyny, Confederacy, Black Lives Matter, unalienable rights, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, franchise, right to vote, ignorance, cruelty, oppression,


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.

whatever its name – v2

A many-headed snake

whatever its name,

Growing in strength

all around the globe

Cutting into flesh

hurting so many,

Whatever its name

a blight on the planet

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

edited January 15, 2016

whatever its name – v2

edited January 4, 2016

a virus, spreading – v6

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v6_82.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v6_4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v6.html

(merging edits to version 5 and version 4)

edited January 3, 2016

a virus, spreading – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v5.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v5_3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v5_70.html

(editing original)

reposted December 30, 2015

a virus spreading – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v4_30.html

(with final set of tags and hashtags)

edited December 29, 2015

many heads, many names, of the snake – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/many-heads-many-names-of-snake-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/many-heads-many-names-of-snake-v2_29.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/many-heads-many-names-of-snake-v2_36.html

edited December 27, 2015

a virus, spreading – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v4_27.html

(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)

edited December 27, 2015

a virus, spreading – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v3-there-is-virus_27.html

(editing original)

edited December 10, 2015

The snake of terror – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v4_10.html

(editing version 3)

edited December 9, 2015

a virus, spreading – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v2_9.html

edited December 4, 2015

The snake of terror – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v3_4.html

December 2, 2015

a virus, spreading

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading_2.html

edited November 29, 2015

The snake of terror – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-snake-of-terror-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-snake-of-terror-v2_29.html

November 29, 2015

many heads, many names, of the snake

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/many-heads-many-names-of-snake.html

November 28, 2015

just faces of evil

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/just-faces-of-evil.html

November 28, 2015

The snake of terror

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-snake-of-terror.html

November 28, 2015

whatever its name

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/whatever-its-name.html

Post 11/28/15 by Hamidou Yaya

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153223792580267&set=a.10150189865910267.311351.742445266

“Fallen Cameroonian soldiers from

the battle against terrorism. "Brave soldiers,

you paid the ultimate price but your fight will not be in vain.

We will keep fighting until the complete eradication

of this cancerous group called boko haram"

Allez et que la terre de nos ailleux vous

soit eternellement legere. La lutta continua”

My response 11/28/15

“unfortunately the snake of terrorism has many heads”

and his response back 11/28/15

“I totally agree with you Ray. The body of that snake can well be

in the Middle-East, but the heads are probably in all the continents”

====

edited October 3, 2014

when hate claims to be Muslim – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/when-hate-claims-to-be-muslim-v3.html 

edited September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Muslim – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-muslim-v2.html

edited/new September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Muslim

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-muslim.html

International Coalition of Muslim Scholars Refute ISIS' Religious Arguments in Open Letter to al-Baghdadi

http://www.christianpost.com/news/international-coalition-of-muslim-scholars-refute-isis-religious-arguments-in-open-letter-to-al-baghdadi-127032/

see 17-page letter itself

http://lettertobaghdadi.com/index.php

&

edited September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Christian – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-christian-v2.html

edited/ new September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Christian

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-christian.html

post by John Makokha

https://www.facebook.com/john.makokha.7/posts/10152732460131506

My dear brother and pastor, why can't you preach the gospel of love

rather than that of hate, malice, prejudice and discrimination.

When Ebola strikes America where will you hide?

I will continue praying for God's intervention in

your heart and mind. God is LOVE.”

in response to article

Christian broadcaster: Ebola could cleanse US of atheists, gay people, and sluts

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/christian-broadcaster-ebola-could-cleanse-us-of-atheists-gay-people-and-sluts/

&

August 17, 2014

He says he is a Christian

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/he-says-he-is-christian.html

praying about Ferguson, Missouri after Michael Brown

shooting and its aftermath showing again the racism

in America and how far we have to go to achieve the

Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s

“I Have A Dream” speech as a reality in this country

&

report that New Empire Knights (KKK) were raising money

for a reward for the officer who killed Michael Brown

and seeing the label “Christian, Husband, Father and Klansman

on Wordpress profile.

&

Edited October 1, 2013

“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/when-hate-claims-christs-name-v4.html

(editing original again)

Edited August 11, 2013

“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/when-hate-claims-christs-name-v3.html

Written July 4, 2012

“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-hate-claims-christs-name.html

"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week

http://www.abc3340.com/story/18945750/whites-only-convention-being-held-in-marion-county-this-week

&

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/1998/winter/identity-crisis/mistaken-identity

&

John 17:6-19

Christ’s prayer for his disciples

John 17:20-25

Christ’s prayer for all believers

Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017212871305&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170.&type=3&permPage=1

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017436204616&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170

Green Bead – Your Special Concern

by Pastor Ruth Foss

and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=563671350405891&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/sermon-weight-upon-heart-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/501137350198829056

by 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/

“God’s Whisper” blog

children’s message

-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping

-          https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/563585223747837/

-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

August 17, 2014

&

prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,

including the following prayer:

“For our church that it may be safe for all people

and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”

Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible

Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible

Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles

children’s message

-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball

-          God gives us treats

-          God wants us to play

by Pastor Ruth Foss

and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/08/gwe.html

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss/status/495902428957401088

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=557259724380387&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/sermon-gwe-by-pastor-ruth-foss-stetson.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/495997433256882176

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

August 3, 2014

&

Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Luke 12:12-15

Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible

“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUO7N-zSMYc

Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017212871305&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170.&type=3&permPage=1

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017436204616&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170

Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith

children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson

https://www.facebook.com/ellen.alwarddickinson

reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys

and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-long-and-winding-road.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=553890868050606&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-long-and-winding-road-by-pastor.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/493465752989859841

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

July 27, 2014

&

Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)

1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)

Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

Bead with a Hole - Silence

children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss

-          Mystery Box - a blank space

-          God starts with a blank canvas,

God fills in the picture until a masterpiece

is created and we come home

and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/07/is-silence-really-golden.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=551162914990068&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-is-silence-really-golden-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/490942120401043456

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

July 20, 2014

&

Psalm 33:30-22

Psalm 25:1-3

Romans 8:30-32

Matthew 11:28-30

Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

Bumpy Bead – Letting Go

children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss

-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads

-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:

-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can…

and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/07/in-letting-go-we-find.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=548327338606959&set=a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512&type=1

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-in-letting-go-we-find-as.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-in-letting-go-we-find-by-pastor.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/488364176088510465

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/488297947491467264

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

July 13, 2014

&

June 29, 2014

Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible

Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible

Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible

Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”

Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss

-          Mystery Box –

-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature

and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/06/all-my-adoration.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=542621372510889&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/sermon-all-my-adoration-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/483299879234859008

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

June 29, 2014

&

June 22, 2014

Matthew 6:5-14

“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)

(including Lord’s Prayer)

Romans 12:12

Ephesians 6:11-18

Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

children’s message by Ray Foss

-          God fills in the words we pray

based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014

Romans 8:26 (NRSV)

Romans 8:22-27

Upper Room Daily Devotional

“Guided by the Spirit”

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2014-06-09

by Milly Ibanda

for March and April 2014

http://devotional.upperroom.org/issues/may-jun%202014

-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer

(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)

opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss

and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”

by Sally Drew

https://www.facebook.com/sally.drew.35

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

June 22, 2014

All of my poems and photographs 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 40,660+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a virus, spreading – v6

There is a virus spreading

a cancer metastasized;

There is one body of the snake

of radical ideology, of zealots

a perverted faith, violent,

willing, prepared to kill, to die,

but there are many heads, outbreaks,

eruptions of the same sickness

the venom, the poison spreading

around the globe, the earth;

The whole world is infected

with the disease of terror;

There are many names given,

but the seeds are the same

manifestations of this violence

terror in the streets

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

edited January 4, 2016

a virus, spreading – v6

(merging edits to version 5 and version 4)

edited January 3, 2016

a virus, spreading – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v5.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v5_3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-virus-spreading-v5_70.html

(editing original)

reposted December 30, 2015

a virus spreading – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v4_30.html

(with final set of tags and hashtags)

edited December 29, 2015

many heads, many names, of the snake – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/many-heads-many-names-of-snake-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/many-heads-many-names-of-snake-v2_29.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/many-heads-many-names-of-snake-v2_36.html

edited December 27, 2015

a virus, spreading – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v4_27.html

(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)

edited December 27, 2015

a virus, spreading – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v3-there-is-virus_27.html

(editing original)

edited December 10, 2015

The snake of terror – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v4_10.html

(editing version 3)

edited December 9, 2015

a virus, spreading – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading-v2_9.html

edited December 4, 2015

The snake of terror – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-snake-of-terror-v3_4.html

December 2, 2015

a virus, spreading

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-virus-spreading_2.html

edited November 29, 2015

The snake of terror – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-snake-of-terror-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-snake-of-terror-v2_29.html

November 29, 2015

many heads, many names, of the snake

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/many-heads-many-names-of-snake.html

November 28, 2015

just faces of evil

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/just-faces-of-evil.html

November 28, 2015

The snake of terror

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-snake-of-terror.html

November 28, 2015

whatever its name

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/whatever-its-name.html

Post 11/28/15 by Hamidou Yaya

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153223792580267&set=a.10150189865910267.311351.742445266

“Fallen Cameroonian soldiers from

the battle against terrorism. "Brave soldiers,

you paid the ultimate price but your fight will not be in vain.

We will keep fighting until the complete eradication

of this cancerous group called boko haram"

Allez et que la terre de nos ailleux vous

soit eternellement legere. La lutta continua”

My response 11/28/15

“unfortunately the snake of terrorism has many heads”

and his response back 11/28/15

“I totally agree with you Ray. The body of that snake can well be

in the Middle-East, but the heads are probably in all the continents”

====

edited October 3, 2014

when hate claims to be Muslim – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/when-hate-claims-to-be-muslim-v3.html 

edited September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Muslim – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-muslim-v2.html

edited/new September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Muslim

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-muslim.html

International Coalition of Muslim Scholars Refute ISIS' Religious Arguments in Open Letter to al-Baghdadi

http://www.christianpost.com/news/international-coalition-of-muslim-scholars-refute-isis-religious-arguments-in-open-letter-to-al-baghdadi-127032/

see 17-page letter itself

http://lettertobaghdadi.com/index.php

&

edited September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Christian – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-christian-v2.html

edited/ new September 30, 2014

when hate claims to be Christian

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-hate-claims-to-be-christian.html

post by John Makokha

https://www.facebook.com/john.makokha.7/posts/10152732460131506

My dear brother and pastor, why can't you preach the gospel of love

rather than that of hate, malice, prejudice and discrimination.

When Ebola strikes America where will you hide?

I will continue praying for God's intervention in

your heart and mind. God is LOVE.”

in response to article

Christian broadcaster: Ebola could cleanse US of atheists, gay people, and sluts

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/christian-broadcaster-ebola-could-cleanse-us-of-atheists-gay-people-and-sluts/

&

August 17, 2014

He says he is a Christian

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/he-says-he-is-christian.html

praying about Ferguson, Missouri after Michael Brown

shooting and its aftermath showing again the racism

in America and how far we have to go to achieve the

Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s

“I Have A Dream” speech as a reality in this country

&

report that New Empire Knights (KKK) were raising money

for a reward for the officer who killed Michael Brown

and seeing the label “Christian, Husband, Father and Klansman

on Wordpress profile.

&

Edited October 1, 2013

“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/when-hate-claims-christs-name-v4.html

(editing original again)

Edited August 11, 2013

“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/when-hate-claims-christs-name-v3.html

Written July 4, 2012

“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-hate-claims-christs-name.html

"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week

http://www.abc3340.com/story/18945750/whites-only-convention-being-held-in-marion-county-this-week

&

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/1998/winter/identity-crisis/mistaken-identity

&

John 17:6-19

Christ’s prayer for his disciples

John 17:20-25

Christ’s prayer for all believers

Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017212871305&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170.&type=3&permPage=1

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017436204616&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170

Green Bead – Your Special Concern

by Pastor Ruth Foss

and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=563671350405891&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/sermon-weight-upon-heart-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/501137350198829056

by 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/

“God’s Whisper” blog

children’s message

-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping

-          https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/563585223747837/

-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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

August 17, 2014

&

prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,

including the following prayer:

“For our church that it may be safe for all people

and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”

Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible

Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible

Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles

children’s message

-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball

-          God gives us treats

-          God wants us to play

by Pastor Ruth Foss

and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/08/gwe.html

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss/status/495902428957401088

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=557259724380387&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/sermon-gwe-by-pastor-ruth-foss-stetson.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/495997433256882176

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

August 3, 2014

&

Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Luke 12:12-15

Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible

“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUO7N-zSMYc

Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017212871305&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170.&type=3&permPage=1

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539017436204616&set=pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1403458170

Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith

children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson

https://www.facebook.com/ellen.alwarddickinson

reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys

and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-long-and-winding-road.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=553890868050606&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-long-and-winding-road-by-pastor.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/493465752989859841

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

July 27, 2014

&

Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)

1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)

Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

Bead with a Hole - Silence

children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss

-          Mystery Box - a blank space

-          God starts with a blank canvas,

God fills in the picture until a masterpiece

is created and we come home

and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/07/is-silence-really-golden.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=551162914990068&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-is-silence-really-golden-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/490942120401043456

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

July 20, 2014

&

Psalm 33:30-22

Psalm 25:1-3

Romans 8:30-32

Matthew 11:28-30

Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

Bumpy Bead – Letting Go

children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss

-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads

-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:

-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can…

and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/07/in-letting-go-we-find.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=548327338606959&set=a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512&type=1

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-in-letting-go-we-find-as.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/sermon-in-letting-go-we-find-by-pastor.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/488364176088510465

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/488297947491467264

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

July 13, 2014

&

June 29, 2014

Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible

Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible

Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible

Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”

Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss

-          Mystery Box –

-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature

and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/06/all-my-adoration.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=542621372510889&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/sermon-all-my-adoration-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/483299879234859008

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

June 29, 2014

&

June 22, 2014

Matthew 6:5-14

“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)

(including Lord’s Prayer)

Romans 12:12

Ephesians 6:11-18

Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”

Summer Sermon Series on Prayer

children’s message by Ray Foss

-          God fills in the words we pray

based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014

Romans 8:26 (NRSV)

Romans 8:22-27

Upper Room Daily Devotional

“Guided by the Spirit”

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2014-06-09

by Milly Ibanda

for March and April 2014

http://devotional.upperroom.org/issues/may-jun%202014

-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer

(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)

opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss

and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”

by Sally Drew

https://www.facebook.com/sally.drew.35

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

June 22, 2014

All of my poems and photographs 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 40,660+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.