On the side of their house – v3

On the side of their house,
around the bulkhead,
between their yard,
and their neighbor’s driveway,
not much there in general,
A forgotten space…
 
But there, as they were long before,
the sweet nectar of the lilies,
Lilies of the Valley, ready
which went in her bouquet,
when she became his wife,
there still long after, fragrance,
rising to my eyes, to my nose,
A delight for my senses…
 
Picking them, pulled,
out of the earth, pebbles and moss,
below the gutters of the house,
Running in their backdoor, breathless,
through the porch, over the threshold,
and around the dogs, jumping,
handing her my little bouquet,
her face smiling, aglow…
 
Back outside, into the sun,
running with siblings and cousins,
playing, running, hiding,
spending part of the day,
at my grandparents’ home,
Maybe when I was six or seven…
 
---------------------
Edited June 18, 2024
On the side of their house – v3
 
My mother and grandmother
Edited May 30, 2024
On the side of their house – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/on-side-of-their-house-v2.html
February 12, 2010
On the side of their house
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/on-side-of-their-house-repost.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html
Mid to later in the 1960’s
15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA
Edited May 29, 2024
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-line-of-chartreuse-blooms-v3.html
edited April 7, 2022
Little White Bells – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/little-white-bells-lanterns-hanging.html
edited April 6, 2022
Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html
&
October 9, 2010
In Their Fragrance and Their Colors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift
for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010
&
May 21, 2009
Little White Bells
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html
corner of Prospect and Broadway,
Suncook, NH
&
May 1, 2008
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html
&
May 22, 2005
Lily of the Valley – 1999
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,
 
#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

On the side of their house – v2

On the side of their house,
around the bulkhead,
between their yard,
and their neighbor’s driveway,
not much there in general,
A forgotten space…
 
But there, as they had been long before,
the sweet nectar of the lilies,
Lilies of the Valley,
which went in her bouquet,
when she became his wife,
there still long after, fragrance,
rising to my eyes, to my nose,
A delight for my senses…
 
Picking them, pulled,
up out of the earth,
small rocks and moss,
below the gutters of the house,
Coming in their backdoor,
through the porch, the threshold,
and around the dogs, jumping,
handing her my little bouquet,
Her face smiling, aglow…
 
Back outside, into the sun,
running with siblings and cousins,
playing, running, hiding,
spending part of the day,
at my grandparents’ home,
Maybe when I was six or seven…
 
---------------------
Edited May 30, 2024
On the side of their house – v2
 
February 12, 2010
On the side of their house
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/on-side-of-their-house-repost.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html
Mid to later in the 1960’s
15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA
Edited May 29, 2024
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-line-of-chartreuse-blooms-v3.html
edited April 7, 2022
Little White Bells – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/little-white-bells-lanterns-hanging.html
edited April 6, 2022
Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html
&
October 9, 2010
In Their Fragrance and Their Colors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift
for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010
&
May 21, 2009
Little White Bells
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html
corner of Prospect and Broadway,
Suncook, NH
&
May 1, 2008
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html
&
May 22, 2005
Lily of the Valley – 1999
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,
 
#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3

Chartreuse blooms, living for a week at most,
flowers of the maple trees lining Maple Street
little bells, green lilies of the valleys,
bright yellow-green buttercups on the branches,
striving, yearning skyward, joyful, emotive,
bouquets, bursting, shining in the April-May sun…
 
Soon they will fall away and the supple new leaves
will stiffen, turgid like butterfly wings,
with Kelly green, darker hues of summer
But for a regal moment, even the trees bloom
in vivid bright colors, awakening,
a line of chartreuse blooms alive, glowing....
 
----------------
Edited May 29, 2024
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3
 
edited April 7, 2022
Little White Bells – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/little-white-bells-lanterns-hanging.html
edited April 6, 2022
Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html
&
October 9, 2010
In Their Fragrance and Their Colors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift
for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010
&
February 12, 2010
On the side of their house
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html
Mid to later in the 1960’s
15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA
&
May 21, 2009
Little White Bells
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html
corner of Prospect and Broadway,
Suncook, NH
&
May 1, 2008
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html
&
May 22, 2005
Lily of the Valley – 1999
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,
 
#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

On the side of their house - repost

On the side of their house
around the bulkhead
between their yard
and their neighbor’s driveway
not much there in general
 
But there, as they had been long before
the sweet nectar of the lilies
Lilies of the valley
which went in her bouquet
when she became his wife
there still long after
coming to my eyes, my nose
in delight for my senses
 
Picking them,
up out of the earth
the small rocks and moss
below the gutters of the house
Coming in their backdoor
through the porch
and around the dogs, jumping
handing her my little bouquet
her face smiling, aglow
 
Back outside, into the sun
running with siblings and cousins
spending part of the day
at my grandparents
Maybe when I was six or seven
 
---------------------

February 12, 2010

On the side of their house

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html

Mid to later in the 1960’s

15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA

edited April 7, 2022

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/a-line-of-chartreuse-blooms-v2.html

edited April 7, 2022

Little White Bells – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/little-white-bells-lanterns-hanging.html

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v2.html

April 6, 2022

Gathering Her mother’s lilies

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies.html

&

October 9, 2010

In Their Fragrance and Their Colors

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html

written as birthday gift

for my mother, Patricia Cobb,

on the occasion of her 75th birthday

October 9, 2010

&

May 21, 2009

Little White Bells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html

corner of Prospect and Broadway,

Suncook, NH

&

May 1, 2008

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html

&

May 22, 2005

Lily of the Valley – 1999

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,

 

#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

Little White Bells - v2

Little white bells, lanterns,
hanging from each stem
where there would have been a lawn
a sea of lily of the valley instead.
 
A fog of scent
greeting our walk
home from the school
to start each day.
 
----------------

edited April 7, 2022

Little White Bells – v2

 

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v2.html

April 6, 2022

Gathering Her mother’s lilies

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies.html

&

October 9, 2010

In Their Fragrance and Their Colors

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html

written as birthday gift

for my mother, Patricia Cobb,

on the occasion of her 75th birthday

October 9, 2010

&

February 12, 2010

On the side of their house

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html

Mid to later in the 1960’s

15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA

&

May 21, 2009

Little White Bells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html

corner of Prospect and Broadway,

Suncook, NH

&

May 1, 2008

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html

&

May 22, 2005

Lily of the Valley – 1999

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,

 

#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

 

Gathering her mother's lilies - v3

Finding a piece of ribbon
remembering the family stories
gathering her mother's lilies
pulling the tiny stems, lilies of the valley,
 
Verdant canes of bells, of beauty,
from along the hidden side
their house's foundation
where we rarely walked,
 
Tying a bouquet, a clutch,
copied from her wedding pictures,
children of what she held, hopeful,
on that wonderful fateful day.
 
---------------------

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v2.html

April 6, 2022

Gathering Her mother’s lilies

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies.html

&

October 9, 2010

In Their Fragrance and Their Colors

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html

written as birthday gift

for my mother, Patricia Cobb,

on the occasion of her 75th birthday

October 9, 2010

&

February 12, 2010

On the side of their house

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html

Mid to later in the 1960’s

15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA

&

May 21, 2009

Little White Bells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html

corner of Prospect and Broadway,

Suncook, NH

&

May 1, 2008

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html

&

May 22, 2005

Lily of the Valley – 1999

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,

 

#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

Gathering her mother's lilies - v2

Finding a piece of ribbon
remembering the family stories
gathering her mother's lilies
the tiny flowers, lilies of the valley,
 
Verdant canes of bells, of beauty,
from along the hidden side
their house's foundation
where we rarely walked,
 
Tying a bouquet, a clutch,
copied from her wedding
children of what she held, hopeful,
on that fateful day.
 
---------------------

edited April 6, 2022

Gathering her mother’s lilies – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v2.html

April 6, 2022

Gathering Her mother’s lilies

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies.html

&

October 9, 2010

In Their Fragrance and Their Colors

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html

written as birthday gift

for my mother, Patricia Cobb,

on the occasion of her 75th birthday

October 9, 2010

&

February 12, 2010

On the side of their house

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html

Mid to later in the 1960’s

15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA

&

May 21, 2009

Little White Bells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html

corner of Prospect and Broadway,

Suncook, NH

&

May 1, 2008

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html

&

May 22, 2005

Lily of the Valley – 1999

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,

 

#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

Gathering her mother's lilies

Finding a piece of ribbon
remembering the family stories
gathering her mother's lilies
the tiny flowers, lilies of the valley,
canes of bells, of beauty,
from along the hidden side
their house's foundation
where we rarely went.
 
---------------------

April 6, 2022

Gathering Her mother’s lilies

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies.html

&

October 9, 2010

In Their Fragrance and Their Colors

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html

written as birthday gift

for my mother, Patricia Cobb,

on the occasion of her 75th birthday

October 9, 2010

&

February 12, 2010

On the side of their house

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html

Mid to later in the 1960’s

15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA

&

May 21, 2009

Little White Bells

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html

corner of Prospect and Broadway,

Suncook, NH

&

May 1, 2008

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html

&

May 22, 2005

Lily of the Valley – 1999

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html

 

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. 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, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,

 

#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

6/30/18 message of Jarrod Cunningham and Chrissy McCarthy - wedding message, based on Romans 12, by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME

 Romans 12:1-2, 9-19 (MSG)

Jarrod and Chrissy, so here we are at the big day. I remember how excited you two were and still are for your wedding. There have been lots of plans and it may have seemed all too overwhelming at times. But I am sure that as your big day has unfolded today, it has all been worth it.

So, this is the moment that I am supposed to impart some mystical wisdom upon you that will help you on this new adventure of marriage. Well, I am sorry to say that is not the case. You see I am still working it out myself. Marriage is something that you have to work at…it’s about giving and receiving. But, what I can do is to share a little bit of wisdom from God’s Word with you.

I am sure you have been to weddings that they talk about 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter and how it tells you how to love one another. As a matter of fact, I read it earlier and it does tell us how to love each other. Not only in marriage but with those we come in contact with. I also read from the Book of Ruth and how you two are now going to be with each other always. That too is a great scripture for a marriage.

But this afternoon, I want to talk about another piece of scripture found in Romans chapter 12. The first piece of scripture I want to share from God’s Wisdom is verses 1-2.

“12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

As you come together in marriage, you need to make a 3-fold cord to make it strong…each of you and God. As you put God first in all things, you will be blessed. You won’t be fighting over who should be the most important. You will both be looking to see and do what God would have you do. Un-like living in a me first world, when you put God first, you are not all about yourself and everything is about God’s will. It is a blessed way…a more excellent way…of life and marriage.

The second piece comes from the same chapter but verses 9-19…

“9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.”

Love each other with your whole heart…not just surface love but deep love. Hold on to what is good and don’t let the world take it from you. Think of others before yourselves as you serve others and each other.

“11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”

Too many people call it quits at the first sign of trouble. They think it is too hard. You two are not making a contract but a covenant with each other. A contract can be broken by either party, but a covenant says I am in it for the long haul. How do you do that…prayer…hard prayer…pray for each other and with each other.

I have created a gift for you to remember this practice of prayer… Prayer beads. But these are not just ordinary prayer beads…Let me explain.

On first look they look like two ordinary sets of prayer beads. But look closer…even thought they are separate, they are intertwined with each other. Even though you are separate…you two are intertwined in marriage and in prayer. Pray for and with each other.

Notice how they come together at the bottom…both colors meeting together. With a heart that leads to the cross. Come together as one with your hearts as one as you give your life, your marriage, your future to Jesus Christ.

“14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.”

Meet each other and people where they are. Don’t hold back your love and prayers, even from your enemies. If you pray for an enemy soon they become a friend because you can’t consider someone an enemy as you pray. It changes your heart…if not the situation…

“17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.””

Don’t go “tit for tat” with each other. You can’t say someone made you act in a certain way. The only thing you can control in most situations is how you react. Try not to be reactive but be proactive in your relationship with each other and others. And believe me…if you leave room for God…you will see miracles happen.

Well that’s about it. I hope this was a help. My last words to you is this…

Love each other madly, deeply, and truly…until your last breath…

Amen.

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

June 30, 2018

the wedding of Jarrod Cunningham and Chrissy McCarthy

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Ruth 1

1 Corinthians 13

Romans 12:1-3, 9-19

and wedding message

video

part 1 – https://youtu.be/Tj5GKGVX1cM

part 2 – https://youtu.be/w5tEk2sChcY

text

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

8AM Live

https://8amlive.wordpress.com/

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

www.stetsonmemorialumc.org

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9t8phsy6bU9ZaKspHOnsg

Patten, ME

June 24, 2018

&

edited June 30, 2018

push through our struggles

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/we-must-push-through-our-struggles.html

edited June 29, 2018

pushing through his struggles – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/pushing-through-his-struggles-v2.html

edited June 29, 2018

how blessed we are – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-we-are-v3.html

edited June 29, 2018

how blessed we are – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-we-are-v2.html

edited June 29, 2018

how blessed it is – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-it-is-v2.html

edited June 29, 2018

all the flawed pieces – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/all-flawed-pieces-v3.html

edited June 28, 2018

I have hope – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/i-have-hope-v2.html

June 28, 2018

I have hope

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/i-have-hope.html

edited June 27, 2018

all the flawed pieces – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/all-flawed-pieces-v2.html

June 27, 2018

all the flawed pieces

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/all-flawed-pieces.html

edited June 27, 2018

how blessed it is

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-it-is.html

edited June 27, 2018

how blessed it would be – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-it-would-be-v2.html

edited June 26, 2018

how blessed we are

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-we-are.html

edited June 26, 2018

how blessed we would be – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-we-would-be-v2.html

edited June 26, 2018

how blessed we would be

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-we-would-be.html

June 26, 2018

how blessed it would be

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-blessed-it-would-be.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1011572910291607552

June 26, 2018

pushing through his struggles

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/pushing-through-his-struggles.html

June 24, 2018

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Psalm 133

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

and sermon: “Can We Just Get Along Here…”

video

https://youtu.be/x5C8XJM_UzE

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/1461864157253268/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/62418-sermon-can-we-just-get-along-here.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1011013515442827264

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1010932529837289472

text

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1470440239728993&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/sermon-can-we-just-get-along-here-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1013235019291164672

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

8AM Live

https://8amlive.wordpress.com/

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Children’s Message

https://youtu.be/WRaTp8Bestc

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/1461907143915636/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/62418-childrens-message-by-pastor-ruth.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1011012877891915778

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1010928249663315968

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

www.stetsonmemorialumc.org

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9t8phsy6bU9ZaKspHOnsg

Patten, ME

June 24, 2018

&

June 24, 2018

God cannot do harm

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/god-cannot-do-harm.html

June 24, 2018

God will search

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/god-will-search.html

June 24, 2018

searching for us - 2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/searching-for-us-2.html

edited June 24, 2018

This is our perfect Father – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-is-our-perfect-father-v2.html

edited June 23, 2018

stitched into the family – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/stitched-into-family-v2.html

edited/resorted June 23, 2018

This is our perfect Father

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-is-our-perfect-father.html

edited June 23, 2018

a more excellent Father – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-more-excellent-father-v2.html

edited June 23, 2018

never too lost – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/never-too-lost-v2.html

June 23, 2018

searching for us – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/searching-for-us-v2.html

edited June 21, 2018

our Father runs to each wayward child – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/our-father-runs-to-each-wayward-child-v2.html

June 21, 2018

our Father runs to each wayward child

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/our-father-runs-to-each-wayward-child.html

June 21, 2018

searching for us

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/searching-for-us.html

June 21, 2018

never too lost

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/never-too-lost.html

edited June 19, 2018

God runs to us – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/god-runs-to-us-v3.html

edited June 19, 2018

the Good Father – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-good-father-v2.html

June 19, 2018

a more excellent Father

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-more-excellent-father.html

edited June 18, 2018

God runs to us – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/god-runs-to-us-v2.html

June 18, 2018

God runs to us

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/god-runs-to-us.html

June 18, 2018

the Good Father

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-good-father.html

edited June 18, 2018

The Perfect Father – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-perfect-father-v2.html

June 18, 2018

the perfect father

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-perfect-father.html

June 18, 2018

stitched into the family

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/stitched-into-family.html

June 17, 2018

Father’s Day

(and John Wesley’s 315^th birthday)

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Psalm 20

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61718-psalm-20-by-pastor-ruth-foss.html

Luke 15:11-27

the Prodigal Son

and lots of other scripture

on references to God as Father

and sermon: “Good, Good Father”

video

https://youtu.be/C-J3YT8Ug_c

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/1452000004906350/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61718-fatherss-day-sermon-good-good.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1008456499046297602

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1008414197049421825

text

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1470430046396679&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_30.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1013232883509661696

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

8AM Live

https://8amlive.wordpress.com/

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Children’s Message

(a nickel in the mystery box – In God We Trust)

https://youtu.be/PSEhy0jUcNE

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/1452129218226762/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61718-childrens-message-nickel-in.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1008455092046090242

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1008410883742142464

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

www.stetsonmemorialumc.org

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9t8phsy6bU9ZaKspHOnsg

Patten, ME

June 17, 2018

Father’s Day

&

June 16, 2018

All who do the will of God

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/all-who-do-will-of-god.html

June 16, 2018

These are the ones

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/these-are-ones.html

edited June 16, 2018

the blood of the vine – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-blood-of-vine-v2.html

June 13, 2018

kinship by choice

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_13.html

June 13, 2018

the blood of the vine

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-blood-of-vine.html

June 13, 2018

blood of the vine

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/blood-of-vine.html

June 13, 2018

not by blood

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/not-by-blood.html

June 13, 2018

not by blood but by choice

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/not-by-blood-but-by-choice.html

June 13, 2018

not of blood but of Spirit

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/not-of-blood-but-of-spirit.html

June 10, 2018

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Psalm 138

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61018-worship-psalm-138-by-pastor-ruth.html

Mark 3:20, 31-35

“The True Family of Jesus” (New Living Translation)

and sermon: “Family Ties”

video

https://youtu.be/u_IY9lkafXI

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/1444234845682866/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61018-worship-sermon-family-ties-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1005964425877245953

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1005859257684758528

text

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1444252065681144&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/sermon-family-ties-by-pastor-ruth-foss.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1005964198533267456

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

8AM Live

https://8amlive.wordpress.com/

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Children’s Message

https://youtu.be/7g88gcnLXRw

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/1444250822347935/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/06/61018-worship-childrens-message-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1005964787749216256

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1005853340675248130

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

www.stetsonmemorialumc.org

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9t8phsy6bU9ZaKspHOnsg

Patten, ME

June 10, 2018

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,180 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, Family, Father, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, prayer, hope, marriage, wedding, 1 Corinthians 13, Ruth 1, Romans 12, Jarrod Cunningham, Chrissy McCarthy,sermon,

#sermon #Jesus #Christ #Spirit #Faith #Family #God #grace #love #sacrifice #prayer #hope #vine #choice #bonds #kinship #children #baptism #Father #Son #life #wedding #marriage #Ruth1 #1Corinthians13 #Romans12 #husband #wife