Saturday, September 06, 2008
Becoming Gray
his new-grown beard
becoming gray,
growing into his role
elder leader, shepherd
of a growing, aging flock
September 5, 2008
written at the Agape Café coffeehouse
Wesley United Methodist Church
(one of 24 written there that night)
Labels: Agape Cafe, Faith, Family, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, September, sheep, shepherd, Wesley United Methodist Church, Writing Poetry
Changes - haiku
shepherds, a different flock
new vineyard to tend
September 5, 2008
written at the Agape Café coffeehouse
Wesley United Methodist Church
(one of 24 written there that night)
Labels: Agape Cafe, Faith, Family, haiku, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, September, shepherd, vine, Wesley United Methodist Church, Writing Poetry
Sunday, August 03, 2008
He Had Compassion for Them
wandering in the wilderness, seeking
following him, even as he crossed the lake
He had compassion for them, hearing their calls
heeding their yearning for his healing, to be saved,
to be fed, thirsty, hungry they came
and all were fed, from meager fare,
a sumptuous feast, feeding
five thousand and more
healing the sick, offering hope for all
ministering to the flock, the shepherd they lacked
having compassion, pity, caring for them all
even as he grieved, he served his flock
August 3, 2008
Matthew 14:13-21
Mark 6:30-44
Luke 9:10-17
John 6:1-13
and Matthew 15:32-39
and sermon, “What a Blessing”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH, August 3, 2008
Labels: August, bread, disciples, Faith, heaven, hope, John, John 6, Luke, Luke 9, Mark, Mark 6, Matthew, Matthew 14, Methodist, Offering, Pastor Ruth L. Foss, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Sermon, sheep, shepherd, Suncook United Methodist Church
Monday, May 19, 2008
On the Hillside that Night
My sheep, grazing in the pasture
on that hillside that night,
along with the others
watching the horizon,
the shadows for predators,
for robbers, for danger
A light so bright, it hurt my eyes
angels descending,
appearing from heaven
singing the most beautiful music
I have ever heard
Singing praises for a savior,
our messiah, finally appearing
down in Bethlehem,
lying in a manger
Boy did we run, to see that sight,
forgetting about the sheep
on the hillside that night
May 19, 2008
Luke 2:8-18
Labels: angels, Bethlehem, Christmas, eyes, Faith, in the crowd, Luke, Messiah, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, savior, sheep, shepherd, sight, sing
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The acts of the Apostles
the acts of the Apostles, greater than his own
for he was leaving this earth, rising, returning
going back to the father, we to carry on
We timid, fearful followers;
but he knew more of the story
the power of Pentecost, transforming
changing believers into leaders,
hearing the message of God’s love
and the salvation of the savior
feeling the fire of God’s endless love
boundless and without merit
loving us while we are yet sinners
over and over bringing us into his embraces
the acts of the Apostles, down through the ages
bringing the sheep into the pasture
the churchyard of the shepherd
the garden of the master
May 10, 2008
Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost
John 14:1-14
John 14:12-14
Labels: Acts, Acts 2:1-12, acts 2:1-21, apostles, disciples, Faith, father, fire, grace, John, John 14, justice, love, master, May, Messiah, Methodist, Pentecost, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, prevenient grace, Raymond A. Foss, salvation, sanctifying grace, savior, sheep, shepherd
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
God’s Guiding Hand
not just the bits of grace put in our path
God’s guiding hand, ready to lead us
to bring us through our trials, our doubts
the challenges we each face in life
God will be there, always
when we need him,
when we think we don’t
ready to bring us to himself
warm embrace, endless love
ready to guide us through life
with a loving hand
still small voice
May 7, 2008
Labels: Faith, God, grace, hands, life, love, May, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, shepherd, voice
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
closeness to god
of the good news, my brothers around me
feeling a closeness to God
more real than the sanctuary, than
the stillness of the night under the open sky
more than in the solitude of a canoe on a calm lake
late at night, all alone with my thoughts
it was there, sharing with my brothers
that I have felt closest to God
my personal savior, my guide,
my shepherd, my protector
May 6, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Labels: brother, Canoe, Faith, God, May, Messiah, Methodist, Nature, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, sanctuary, savior, sheep, shepherd, sky, Walk to Emmaus, water
Monday, May 05, 2008
An Immaculate Appointment
an immaculate appointment
appearing out of nowhere
no beginning, just is
where she was going without
where she had been
the future without the past
For a fleeting moment two appointments
both in play, until the update on the screen
a from for the to, a beginning for the end
cleaner that way,
connectionally speaking that is
May 5, 2008
of the information on the NE Conference
appointment changes page this morning,
when Ruth’s new appointment was listed (the to)
but her current appointment (the from)
was not listed at all.
http://www.neumc.org/appointment_changes.asp?sortorder=-5
Labels: Faith, Family, Links, May, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Ruth, shepherd, Suncook United Methodist Church
In Many Tongues
in many tongues
able to speak, to share
to proclaim the good news
the father glorified
by the ministry of the children
the sheep of the shepherd’s flock
those commissioned by the son
emboldened by the spirit
May 5, 2008
Acts 2:1-12
Pentecost
Labels: Acts, Acts 2:1-12, acts 2:1-21, Faith, father, Holy Spirit, May, Methodist, Pentecost, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, sheep, shepherd, son, voice
Friday, April 25, 2008
Lifting Her Up
while she is on this journey
this road I have walked
praying constantly,
my mind racing ahead
remembering the jewels,
the nuggets, the moments of grace
my cup running over
How I pray for the same joy
the same sense of wonder
of feeling his presence
washing over her
Lifting her up,
in this season of sudden change
understanding the immediacy of Mark
perhaps for the first time
Praying for that same certainty
for her, as she starts a new chapter
a new story of a faithful disciple
answering the master’s call
Here I am, send me
Lifting her up, in prayers
for your love to rain upon her
to see you walking beside her
April 25, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Labels: April, disciples, Faith, journey, love, Luke, Mark, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, prayer, Raymond A. Foss, shepherd, Walk to Emmaus
How Will She be Different
to her, to her walk with Christ
to her sense of her call, her purpose
her part to play in the work of the carpenter
the shepherd, the priesthood
How she will react
to the words of this weekend
the special moments,
the presence of the Lord
in this community
this journey of faith
this weekend set apart
spending hours, days
with the risen savior
April 25, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Ruth’s turn
Labels: April, Carpenter, disciples, Faith, journey, Messiah, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, risen, savior, shepherd, Walk to Emmaus
Claimed by God - 2
his sheep in his pasture
the green pastures
in which he calls us to dwell
We are the words of his hands,
the living clay of the potter
molded by him in his image,
known by him
Sing praises, joyfully
all the earth
For the Lord is good
April 25, 2008
Psalm 100
Psalm 23
Labels: April, clay, creator, Faith, God, green, hands, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, potter, Psalm, Psalm 100, Psalm 23, Raymond A. Foss, sheep, shepherd, sing
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Letters of Love
written for you, for your strength,
for your faithfulness, your commitment to the call
the call God have given you, challenged you
to fulfill your part, in the creator’s plan
Letter of love, written just so you will know
the love we feel from you,
the love we want to convey to you
sent to you, to read, to experience
on this special journey you are on
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus,
the prayers for Ruth
Labels: April, creator, disciples, Faith, Family, God, journey, love, Luke, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, prayer, Raymond A. Foss, Ruth, shepherd, Walk to Emmaus
She Carried with Her
the affirmation of a congregation
the approval of a committee
an appointment to serve
and the prayers of a multitude,
family, friends,
members of the community,
the congregation, the fellowship
of those who know her best
All who love her
raising her up for these days
that she would be richly blessed
in this time with the Lord
on her Walk to Emmaus
steps on the path of her life
a pilgrim, a disciple,
a shepherd for the kingdom
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus,
the prayers for Ruth
Labels: April, disciples, Faith, Family, God, life, love, Methodist, pilgrims, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Ruth, savior, sheep, shepherd, Walk to Emmaus
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Pastor’s (wife) Husband
before the congregation
feeling their love for her
washing over me, in reflection
hearing his voice saying it was unanimous
a living affirmation of her call
My joy made real, in their belief in her
something I have known for so long
She is called to your ministry
to be your shepherd, in community
bringing your love, for the rest of her life
Proud, I am, to be the Pastor’s (wife) husband.
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Labels: April, church, disciples, Faith, Family, God, life, love, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Ruth, savior, sheep, shepherd, voice, wedding, Wesley United Methodist Church
An Affirmation
a day long sought after,
Being affirmed by our family of faith
in the sanctuary, in community
feeling their love, their certainty
Hearing their support, their faith
in her call, to ministry, their belief
She is called by God to the pulpit,
to service, to care for a flock
to bring God’s message, as an elder
a shepherd for the savior
His messenger of love
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Labels: April, church, disciples, Faith, Family, God, love, Messiah, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Ruth, sanctuary, savior, sheep, shepherd, Wesley United Methodist Church
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Before the Congregation
to ministry, to her calling
They met in the sanctuary, somber, orderly
But joy was in the offing, in the results
the vote of affirmation, unanimous
all the gathered community
affirming her call, now,
those who have known her
who know her heart, her faith
her trust in God
saying yes, she is ready
She can lead a flock
She is called to be a shepherd
April 20, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Labels: April, church, Faith, Family, God, heart, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Ruth, sanctuary, sheep, shepherd, Wesley United Methodist Church
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Bread and Wine
your sacrifice, of your life for all of ours
your body broken for the sins of man
the creator becoming the savior
the shepherd the sheep
obedience to the master’s voice
going even to death, because of the master
his faith strong enough, despite awareness
knowledge before the passion
We break the bread we share the cup
so we can see Jesus, as Cleopas and the other did
sharing with Christ the holy meal
Bread and wine, simple food
blessed are we when we share
April 16, 2008
Psalm 23
Luke 24:13-35
Labels: April, body, bread, Christ, Cleopas, Communion, creator, death, Faith, father, God, Jesus, life, Luke, Luke 24:13-35, master, Messiah, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Psalm, Psalm 23, Raymond A. Foss, sacrifice, savior, sheep, shepherd, voice, Walk to Emmaus, wine
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Open the Door
enter the house of the father
accepting his gift of grace
his reconciliation, relationship once more
saying yes to the father, living in his grace
confession and repentance
becoming his sheep, his disciple
being the hands and feet, the voice
of the savior, the living Christ
for the world
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Labels: April, Christ, church, disciples, Faith, father, feet, hands, justifying grace, Lori Eldredge, Luke, Luke 24:13-35, Messiah, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, prevenient grace, Raymond A. Foss, savior, Sermon, sheep, shepherd, voice, Walk to Emmaus, Wesley United Methodist Church
Psalms 23
we read 8 different versions of Psalm 23, from The Message,
the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised Standard Version,
the New Revised Standard Bible, the New International Version,
the Good News Bible, the King James Bible, and “A psalm for learners”.
We then each wrote our own psalm, using a template of:
God is my . . .
God leads me . . .
God restores . . .
Even when . . . I will not . . . for God . . .
God sets . . .
Surely . . .
And I will . . . my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Erica
God is my savior; he saves me from sin.
God leads me through the valley of sin and death.
God restores me with his words of live
Even when I have hatred in my heart
I will not leave him for God is
my salvation
God sets a pace for him to pace me.
Surely he will lead me home
And I will listen and love him with
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Sara
God is my sense of direction
God leads me along the path right to take
God restores my soul and my confidence
Even when I start to stray
I will not be disobedient for God is love.
God sets the pace
Surely he will lead the way
And I will follow him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ian
God is my chef
God leads me to the dinner table
God restores my stomach to a state of happiness
Even when there are brussel sprouts
I will not lament for God will
replace them with green beans
God sets my place with lots of good food
Surely I will never miss a meal
And I will eat well my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ryan
God is my guardian who helps me when I need help
God leads me to believe what is true.
God restores my want to learn
Even when I lose all hope
I will not fail for God is on my side
God sets challenges for me in every new experience
And I will keep an open mind on how to get through
these challenges my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Jessica
God is my shepherd
God leads me home when lost
God restores hope
Even when feeling down
I will not hate for God is my God
God sets a path for me
Surely he loves me
And I will always love him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ray
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
Labels: April, Bible, bread, death, Faith, God, green, heart, life, love, master, Messiah, Methodist, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Psalm, Psalm 23, Raymond A. Foss, savior, schools, sheep, shepherd, the word
© Raymond A. Foss 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. 2008. All rights reserved.
Written about and in New Hampshire
All of the poetry presented on the site and its archives were written by me. If you want to use them, please contact me at:
Ray Foss
Globe of Blogs
BlogStreet
Blog Search Engine
Bloogz The Blog Search Engine
Blogwidow.com
Intelliseek's BlogPulse
Blog Search.com
Blogdigger
Blog Flux Directory
|
|
 |
