Out of love
out of the depth of her faith
more pleasing to God
than all the others, all the powerful,
the pious, the rich,
not to its value
but for its worth, its holy worth,
the meaning in the way she gave
when compared to theirs
She gave out of her poverty, all she had,
they from their wealthy, a meager portion indeed
She gave all, all she had
they gave only a proportionate share
updated October 11, 2008
November 19 and November 23, 2007 5:48pm
Luke 20:45-21:4
The scribe and the widow’s offering
part of the sermon, “The Widow’s Might”,
by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, November 18, 2007
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Do More Than Dream - 08192009
We dream of a world without
pain
without poverty, without
hunger
a just and loving world
we dream of a place for us
in your kingdom
what are we doing now
in our day to day lives
to put our faith in motion
in action now in this world
to better the lives, the
days
of our brother, our sister,
their children,
our world?
We must fulfill the call
The work is here
---------------
edited December 26, 2015
Do More than Dream – v4
(editing early version)
edited November 25, 2015
Do More Than Dream – v3
(editing original Facebook
version)
edited November 4, 2015
Do More Than Dream – Blog
Action Day – Facebook version – v2
edited September 26, 2015
Do More Than Dream – v2
August 19, 2009
Do More Than Dream – 08192009
10/15/2008
Do More Than Dream – Blog
Action Day
10/11/08
Do More Than Dream – Blog
Action Day – Facebook version
10/22/06 14:24
Do More Than Dream
Mark 10:35-45
10/15/08
Blog Action Day, poverty
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 41,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thankful for the Gifts
A moment abundant in blessing
sun shining radiantly
on the birch cross, a gift
planted within her labyrinth
A rich layered moment
thankful for the sun, for the Son
the cross, the way to life
believing, seeing
walking on our journey
Light, giving sight
offering hope, the narrow gate
the path leading to the cross
the radiance of the Son,
illumining our way.
-----------------
Edited November 24, 2023
Thankful for the Gifts – v2
August 17, 2009
Thankful for the Gifts
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/thankful-for-gifts.html
prayer labyrinth
in our yard
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.
Poetry, cross, Faith, steps, Pastor Ruth Foss, Ecclesiastes
3, stone, wisdom, rock, witness, prayer, walking, prayer, labyrinth, God, Christ,
#Poetry #cross #Faith #steps #Ecclesiastes3 #stone #wisdom
#rock #witness #prayer #walking #prayer #labyrinth #God #Christ
sun shining radiantly
on the birch cross, a gift
planted within her labyrinth
A rich layered moment
thankful for the sun, for the Son
the cross, the way to life
believing, seeing
walking on our journey
Light, giving sight
offering hope, the narrow gate
the path leading to the cross
the radiance of the Son,
illumining our way.
-----------------
Edited November 24, 2023
Thankful for the Gifts – v2
Thankful for the Gifts
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/thankful-for-gifts.html
prayer labyrinth
in our yard
Monday, August 17, 2009
Together We Danced
Together, we danced
through my day (so far),
my work, my life
Dancing with my creator
the potter to my clay
spinning, whirling
to the tune he would play
moving through the moments
the choices I would make
A dance for the day
his hand upon me
guiding my steps along the way
August 17, 2009
Unison Prayer
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
through my day (so far),
my work, my life
Dancing with my creator
the potter to my clay
spinning, whirling
to the tune he would play
moving through the moments
the choices I would make
A dance for the day
his hand upon me
guiding my steps along the way
August 17, 2009
Unison Prayer
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
Sun on the Cross
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Dancing Today
Oh that is my wish
that between my work,
my travels, the commotion
activities of my day
that I would dance today
led by the hand of God
guided to the calling of the Lord
to that which He would have me do
led across the floor,
surrendering to his leading
effortlessly dancing with God
August 17, 2009
Unison Prayer
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
that between my work,
my travels, the commotion
activities of my day
that I would dance today
led by the hand of God
guided to the calling of the Lord
to that which He would have me do
led across the floor,
surrendering to his leading
effortlessly dancing with God
August 17, 2009
Unison Prayer
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
His Hands
His hands
orchestrating, creating
setting the stars in the heavens
the world into being, into motion
the potter, the clay
our lives, formed in his image
the dance of our lives
choreographed
the movement
guided by His hands
August 16, 2009 and August 17, 2009
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
orchestrating, creating
setting the stars in the heavens
the world into being, into motion
the potter, the clay
our lives, formed in his image
the dance of our lives
choreographed
the movement
guided by His hands
August 16, 2009 and August 17, 2009
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
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 29,990+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Surrendering to His Lead
Around the days of our lives
dancing with God
simple, loving, cares somehow easier
surrendering to his lead
giving up our control
letting the creator’s hand
guide our steps, our feet upon his
dancing a different tune
not the world’s noise clatter
the music of God’s still small voice
a melody for the ages
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
and see earlier poem:
-----
Dancing with God
A wonderful concept
dancing with God
but are we ready for him to lead
to guide us through life’s passages
turning our freewill over
to Him
becoming a follower
disciple of the Master
feeling his hand on our hip
our back
submitting to his will
the yoke is easy
but it is a yoke
nonetheless
hard choice
for a society, a people
wrapped up in Me
July 13, 2006 22:32
dancing with God
simple, loving, cares somehow easier
surrendering to his lead
giving up our control
letting the creator’s hand
guide our steps, our feet upon his
dancing a different tune
not the world’s noise clatter
the music of God’s still small voice
a melody for the ages
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
and see earlier poem:
-----
Dancing with God
A wonderful concept
dancing with God
but are we ready for him to lead
to guide us through life’s passages
turning our freewill over
to Him
becoming a follower
disciple of the Master
feeling his hand on our hip
our back
submitting to his will
the yoke is easy
but it is a yoke
nonetheless
hard choice
for a society, a people
wrapped up in Me
July 13, 2006 22:32
One Pair of Hands
Christ’s hands
one pair of hands
precious hands
in creation, in the waters
at the beginning
Descending from heaven
the hands of an infant
growing to adulthood,
the hands of a carpenter
Washed in the Jordan,
walking in ministry
healing hands, his touch
changing lives
carrying the nails, our sin
Hands to comfort,
to welcome us home
at the end of the age
August 16, 2009
one pair of hands
precious hands
in creation, in the waters
at the beginning
Descending from heaven
the hands of an infant
growing to adulthood,
the hands of a carpenter
Washed in the Jordan,
walking in ministry
healing hands, his touch
changing lives
carrying the nails, our sin
Hands to comfort,
to welcome us home
at the end of the age
August 16, 2009
Trusting His Lead
Present in the here and now
mindfulness in our walk
God’s presence with us
feeling him with us, within us
Dancing to his steps
trusting his lead
going where he guides
doing what he calls me to do
His hand moving
alive, changing our lives
and the world through us;
His love guiding the dance.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
mindfulness in our walk
God’s presence with us
feeling him with us, within us
Dancing to his steps
trusting his lead
going where he guides
doing what he calls me to do
His hand moving
alive, changing our lives
and the world through us;
His love guiding the dance.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
Christ’s Hands
Christ’s hands
which healed the sick
sight to the blind,
raised the dead
broke the bread,
washed their feet
suffered the nails, the cross
We, you and I,
called to continue his ministry
to be his feet, his voice
Christ’s hands, alive
working in the world still
offering our lives
sharing his love to the world
August 16, 2009
which healed the sick
sight to the blind,
raised the dead
broke the bread,
washed their feet
suffered the nails, the cross
We, you and I,
called to continue his ministry
to be his feet, his voice
Christ’s hands, alive
working in the world still
offering our lives
sharing his love to the world
August 16, 2009
sermon - "May I Have This Dance?", Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, August 16, 2009
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
The Message Bible
May I Have This Dance?
(Play Ancient Words Video)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray…
Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, you who spoke to you children so long ago through your prophets, we ask that you would speak to us today through your Spirit. May we hear your Ancient Words of hope, of peace, of comfort and joy. May you give us an open and willing heart so that we may hear the word you have for us today and to act upon what you reveal to us. We pray for your presence to be here with us gathered here this day. May your eternal words echo throughout the world so that all will know of your saving grace. Speak Lord…your friends are listening…
How many of you like to dance? I know that I do. I love the whirling and twirling across the floor. I love to watch the TV shows where there is dance. I love dancing with the Stars and ballroom dancing and movies about dancing. I just love it when Ray and I break into spontaneous dance (much to the dismay of our children…). The closeness that there is from our dancing makes me remember our first dance as husband and wife. But…I have one problem when I dance. You see…as we are dancing I find myself wanting to take the lead. Now I know that the guy is supposed to take the lead but I just can’t help myself…I need to really concentrate on what I am doing. I spent 11 years studying dance when I was younger so I tend to think I know better than my partner.
Life, itself, is much like a dance. Sometimes we are moving fluidly through life without a care and other times we feel as if we are unwillingly being dragged across the dance floor. Sometimes we seem to know what we are doing and others we feel as if we are whirling out of control. Whirling out of control…the operative word here is the word control. We tend to feel that we need to be in control at all times and in all things. But…God wants us to dance another type of dance….a dance that he orchestrates…one that He leads. Ray sent me an e-mail about just that…about how God is the one who orchestrates the dance of our lives…one in which we trust God for our guidance.
It talked about the word Guidance and how each time the writer meditated on the word the word “dance” kept coming to mind. It states that when two people lead, nothing feels right (Boy…how I know that one…remember that I said that I tend to try and lead when I dance…but then again…how many of us try to lead the dance of life). The movement doesn’t flow with the music and it all seems jerky. But…when one person realizes this and decides to follow, it all moves in rhythm again. The leader gives the follower gentle cues and the two become one body. But…the dance takes “surrender, willingness and attentiveness from the one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
The writer goes on to say that the “G” stands for God and the “u” and “I” stands for…well you get the authors drift. You see God, u, and I dance. But…I feel there is something missing in the analogy…what is missing is the trust that you must have in your partner (Now don’t get me wrong…I do trust in my husband but there is this control thing in effect). We need to let go of our control and trust in God. As Huntley talked about last week…we need mindfulness in our walk with God. We need to practice being present in the here and now and not look at the future and past, trust that God is in control and that the Giver of all knowledge will lead us in the direction we should go. By practicing this mindfulness we can be aware of when God is speaking, we need to trust that God is in the world today and will be tomorrow and the next day and the next and the next…as I have said we need to practice being in the present and trust God is with us in that present moment. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 talks about that trust in God. It reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible):
“We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.”
It is this trust that enables us to move mountains…it is this trust that enables us to play “follow the leader” with God…it is this trust that enables us to take a step of faith and believe that God is in control. It is by God’s strength, through the Holy Spirit , not our own, that we can move forward when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel…and it is by this strength that we become conquers over the things that hold us back.
Next week, we will be having a Nursery Shower for the church. We will be stepping out in faith to prepare a nursery for those who come with small children. We may not have many in our church now but in the immortal words of Field of Dreams “If you build it, he/they will come.” We need to trust that God will have them come…that God will grow our church, using us as His ambassador’s to the children. We must trust that, as God has done so many times, God will lead us in this dance as well.
Let us practice God’s presence in our lives. Lets us believe that God is with us now…the the present time. May we let go of our control and let God lead us in the way He would have us go. May we trust and believe that God is in control…
(God is in control by Twila Parris)
Amen.
The Message Bible
May I Have This Dance?
(Play Ancient Words Video)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray…
Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, you who spoke to you children so long ago through your prophets, we ask that you would speak to us today through your Spirit. May we hear your Ancient Words of hope, of peace, of comfort and joy. May you give us an open and willing heart so that we may hear the word you have for us today and to act upon what you reveal to us. We pray for your presence to be here with us gathered here this day. May your eternal words echo throughout the world so that all will know of your saving grace. Speak Lord…your friends are listening…
How many of you like to dance? I know that I do. I love the whirling and twirling across the floor. I love to watch the TV shows where there is dance. I love dancing with the Stars and ballroom dancing and movies about dancing. I just love it when Ray and I break into spontaneous dance (much to the dismay of our children…). The closeness that there is from our dancing makes me remember our first dance as husband and wife. But…I have one problem when I dance. You see…as we are dancing I find myself wanting to take the lead. Now I know that the guy is supposed to take the lead but I just can’t help myself…I need to really concentrate on what I am doing. I spent 11 years studying dance when I was younger so I tend to think I know better than my partner.
Life, itself, is much like a dance. Sometimes we are moving fluidly through life without a care and other times we feel as if we are unwillingly being dragged across the dance floor. Sometimes we seem to know what we are doing and others we feel as if we are whirling out of control. Whirling out of control…the operative word here is the word control. We tend to feel that we need to be in control at all times and in all things. But…God wants us to dance another type of dance….a dance that he orchestrates…one that He leads. Ray sent me an e-mail about just that…about how God is the one who orchestrates the dance of our lives…one in which we trust God for our guidance.
It talked about the word Guidance and how each time the writer meditated on the word the word “dance” kept coming to mind. It states that when two people lead, nothing feels right (Boy…how I know that one…remember that I said that I tend to try and lead when I dance…but then again…how many of us try to lead the dance of life). The movement doesn’t flow with the music and it all seems jerky. But…when one person realizes this and decides to follow, it all moves in rhythm again. The leader gives the follower gentle cues and the two become one body. But…the dance takes “surrender, willingness and attentiveness from the one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
The writer goes on to say that the “G” stands for God and the “u” and “I” stands for…well you get the authors drift. You see God, u, and I dance. But…I feel there is something missing in the analogy…what is missing is the trust that you must have in your partner (Now don’t get me wrong…I do trust in my husband but there is this control thing in effect). We need to let go of our control and trust in God. As Huntley talked about last week…we need mindfulness in our walk with God. We need to practice being present in the here and now and not look at the future and past, trust that God is in control and that the Giver of all knowledge will lead us in the direction we should go. By practicing this mindfulness we can be aware of when God is speaking, we need to trust that God is in the world today and will be tomorrow and the next day and the next and the next…as I have said we need to practice being in the present and trust God is with us in that present moment. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 talks about that trust in God. It reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible):
“We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.”
It is this trust that enables us to move mountains…it is this trust that enables us to play “follow the leader” with God…it is this trust that enables us to take a step of faith and believe that God is in control. It is by God’s strength, through the Holy Spirit , not our own, that we can move forward when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel…and it is by this strength that we become conquers over the things that hold us back.
Next week, we will be having a Nursery Shower for the church. We will be stepping out in faith to prepare a nursery for those who come with small children. We may not have many in our church now but in the immortal words of Field of Dreams “If you build it, he/they will come.” We need to trust that God will have them come…that God will grow our church, using us as His ambassador’s to the children. We must trust that, as God has done so many times, God will lead us in this dance as well.
Let us practice God’s presence in our lives. Lets us believe that God is with us now…the the present time. May we let go of our control and let God lead us in the way He would have us go. May we trust and believe that God is in control…
(God is in control by Twila Parris)
Amen.
5,000th post - Poetry Where You Live
Today marks the 5,000th post to the blog, with over 4,350 poems. I thank God for the gift of poetry and the ability to share it to the ends of the earth.
Eternal Words
from her prayer
before the words of her sermon
calling us to wisdom
the eternal words of life
present in the Word,
in our hearing, believing
trusting in them, in God
Alive now in the world
in this sanctuary
as we share in worship of You
God of the beginning,
of the present,
of the future yet to come;
of eternity.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
before the words of her sermon
calling us to wisdom
the eternal words of life
present in the Word,
in our hearing, believing
trusting in them, in God
Alive now in the world
in this sanctuary
as we share in worship of You
God of the beginning,
of the present,
of the future yet to come;
of eternity.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
A Dance
Life, like a dance
pulling us onto the floor
whirling, spinning
not in control
Following the world’s lead
or the Master’s hand
guiding us through this life
surrendering to His movements
to the music he has chosen
moving together as one
This is our choice.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
pulling us onto the floor
whirling, spinning
not in control
Following the world’s lead
or the Master’s hand
guiding us through this life
surrendering to His movements
to the music he has chosen
moving together as one
This is our choice.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
Grace Upon Grace
Grace upon grace
gift upon gift
offering for each of us
the love of the creator
our master, our God
given for us
agape, unmerited
over and over
throughout our lives
if we would but have eyes to see
August 16, 2009
gift upon gift
offering for each of us
the love of the creator
our master, our God
given for us
agape, unmerited
over and over
throughout our lives
if we would but have eyes to see
August 16, 2009
People of the Waters
Spiritual beings, on an earthly journey
peoples of the waters,
missionaries on the dry land
finding those in pain
those thirsty for the waters
calling them, bringing them
showing them the way
back into the waters of life
August 16, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
peoples of the waters,
missionaries on the dry land
finding those in pain
those thirsty for the waters
calling them, bringing them
showing them the way
back into the waters of life
August 16, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
Abundance
Grace upon grace
the abundance of God’s love
his pursuing us, desire for us
seeking a bond, covenant
repentance, reconciliation
offering us life
hope for our future
our needs met
spiritual, physical
our cares bled away
in the abundance of God’s love
August 16, 2009
Psalm 23
Walk to Emmaus
the abundance of God’s love
his pursuing us, desire for us
seeking a bond, covenant
repentance, reconciliation
offering us life
hope for our future
our needs met
spiritual, physical
our cares bled away
in the abundance of God’s love
August 16, 2009
Psalm 23
Walk to Emmaus
Stars on the Beach
Metaphors of our lives
choices we each must make
living in relationship
people of the water
the living waters of Christ
Stars on the beach
people wandering in the world
lost, unconnected with the creator
Reach for the stars
cast them back into the sea
Reach out to our neighbors
tell tem of God’s grace
welcome them into the family
August 15, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
choices we each must make
living in relationship
people of the water
the living waters of Christ
Stars on the beach
people wandering in the world
lost, unconnected with the creator
Reach for the stars
cast them back into the sea
Reach out to our neighbors
tell tem of God’s grace
welcome them into the family
August 15, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
Yearning for God
With my whole being
all that I am
yearning for God,
that personal connection
relationship with my father
creator of heaven and earth
To walk in his ways
following my Master’s call
my special gift
poured out
for the glory of the Lord.
August 15, 2009
all that I am
yearning for God,
that personal connection
relationship with my father
creator of heaven and earth
To walk in his ways
following my Master’s call
my special gift
poured out
for the glory of the Lord.
August 15, 2009
Help Us Lord
Help us Lord,
as we gather in this place
your people together
that we would sense you
your living presence with us
this moment, as we enter into worship.
With us always;
may we ever
be aware of you
standing beside us.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
“Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, we have come into
your house to worship you this day in Spirit and in Truth.
We pray that you would be with us, that Your Spirit would
fall down upon us gathered here this morning. We pray
that our worship of You would be pleasing in Your sight.
Speak to us we pray so that we may be guided by
Your still, small voice this day and all the days of our lives.
As we come before Your throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
as we gather in this place
your people together
that we would sense you
your living presence with us
this moment, as we enter into worship.
With us always;
may we ever
be aware of you
standing beside us.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
“Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, we have come into
your house to worship you this day in Spirit and in Truth.
We pray that you would be with us, that Your Spirit would
fall down upon us gathered here this morning. We pray
that our worship of You would be pleasing in Your sight.
Speak to us we pray so that we may be guided by
Your still, small voice this day and all the days of our lives.
As we come before Your throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
Calling Him
Calling Him
into our presence
the Lord who is already here
forgetful mortals, feet of clay
help us Lord
in our unbelief
in the limits of our discernment
Here in your church
in this sanctuary
may we have eyes to see
and ears to hear
may we sense your presence
already here.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
“Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, we have come into
your house to worship you this day in Spirit and in Truth.
We pray that you would be with us, that Your Spirit would
fall down upon us gathered here this morning. We pray
that our worship of You would be pleasing in Your sight.
Speak to us we pray so that we may be guided by
Your still, small voice this day and all the days of our lives.
As we come before Your throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
into our presence
the Lord who is already here
forgetful mortals, feet of clay
help us Lord
in our unbelief
in the limits of our discernment
Here in your church
in this sanctuary
may we have eyes to see
and ears to hear
may we sense your presence
already here.
August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
“Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, we have come into
your house to worship you this day in Spirit and in Truth.
We pray that you would be with us, that Your Spirit would
fall down upon us gathered here this morning. We pray
that our worship of You would be pleasing in Your sight.
Speak to us we pray so that we may be guided by
Your still, small voice this day and all the days of our lives.
As we come before Your throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Looking Down
Looking down,
my dirty hands,
dust of the stones
gathered and placed
labyrinth stones
dividing the rows
the grime of the lawn,
mown and cut
finishing the rows
seeing the idea
a place of prayer
the labyrinth coming alive
August 15, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
my dirty hands,
dust of the stones
gathered and placed
labyrinth stones
dividing the rows
the grime of the lawn,
mown and cut
finishing the rows
seeing the idea
a place of prayer
the labyrinth coming alive
August 15, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
At the Water’s Edge
At the water’s edge
the tides licking at the stones,
the rocks, shells, the sand
lessons of the sermon
real, present, immediate
Starfish, cast by the tides,
hanging tight, held to the rocks
the marginal land
between the air and the water
Choosing, acting
to return them to the sea
to send the wayward back into the waters
life and death
at the water’s edge
August 15, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
the tides licking at the stones,
the rocks, shells, the sand
lessons of the sermon
real, present, immediate
Starfish, cast by the tides,
hanging tight, held to the rocks
the marginal land
between the air and the water
Choosing, acting
to return them to the sea
to send the wayward back into the waters
life and death
at the water’s edge
August 15, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
In the Darkness
In the darkness
the world around us
His light shining
in the work
of his disciples’ lives
His light shining
burning within us
shining only
when we act in His name
going into the darkness
hope for His people
gathering all
for the harvest home
Shining in the darkness
a light to the world
His light shining
within each believer’s heart
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
the world around us
His light shining
in the work
of his disciples’ lives
His light shining
burning within us
shining only
when we act in His name
going into the darkness
hope for His people
gathering all
for the harvest home
Shining in the darkness
a light to the world
His light shining
within each believer’s heart
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
His Light
The light within us
shining through our lives
our words
our actions
His light shining
in all we do
while we are yoked to him
following his guidance
his footsteps beside us
walking with us
on our journey of faith
Let His light shine!
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
shining through our lives
our words
our actions
His light shining
in all we do
while we are yoked to him
following his guidance
his footsteps beside us
walking with us
on our journey of faith
Let His light shine!
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
Show Your Light
His light, shining within you
his Spirit guiding your steps
His voice, if we choose to hear
living within our hearts
Show your light
to the world
bring your joy, your hope
your belief in his grace
to the ends of the earth
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
his Spirit guiding your steps
His voice, if we choose to hear
living within our hearts
Show your light
to the world
bring your joy, your hope
your belief in his grace
to the ends of the earth
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
The Same Light
That same bright star
shining in our hearts
high up in heaven
his star, the star of the savior
the light of God
for you and for me
shining within us
in the indwelling spirit
Let your light shine!
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
shining in our hearts
high up in heaven
his star, the star of the savior
the light of God
for you and for me
shining within us
in the indwelling spirit
Let your light shine!
August 15, 2009
Posting by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
August 15, 2009
on picture of VBS 2009 – Camp E.D.G.E.,
Day 2 - Trek to Bethlehem,
“The star still shines bright in you and in me!
Show your light to the world...don't hide it
under a bushel but let it shine bright,
illuminating the world around you!
God has made you a shining star
to shine bright in a world of darkness
needing to be illuminated!”
Walking Because They Do
In groups large, small,
to share a few hours, a few dollars
to walk, as they must, for food, for water
for solidarity with our brothers, our sisters
around the world, who need to walk
for the essentials of life
Out of our abundance, emulating them,
walking as they do, to understand
to lift them up, to provide for their needs
to be, for a few minutes,
our neighbor's keeper
to share a few hours, a few dollars
to walk, as they must, for food, for water
for solidarity with our brothers, our sisters
around the world, who need to walk
for the essentials of life
Out of our abundance, emulating them,
walking as they do, to understand
to lift them up, to provide for their needs
to be, for a few minutes,
our neighbor's keeper
August 15, 2009
Walking Because They Do – Blog Action Day – Facebook version
October 11, 2008
Walking With Them – Blog Action Day
October 11, 2008
Walking Because They Do – Blog Action Day http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/walking-because-they-do.html
Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP) Walk,
Concord, NH
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty
&
edited October 16, 2014
Out of Our Abundance – Blog Action Day – v2
October 11, 2008
Out of Our Abundance – Blog Action Day
November 18, 2007 and November 20, 2007 8:55am
Out of Our Abundance
Luke 20:45-21:4
The scribe and the widow’s offering
part of the sermon, “The Widow’s Might”,
by the Reverend Peter Hey
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, November 18, 2007
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty
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 35,610+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Walking With Them
Choosing to walk, six-mile course
beautiful, brilliant fall afternoon
Very different than the daily struggle,
walking they do, to find food, water
walking in poverty, they have no choice.
But we, even in our abundance, trying, in a small way
walking with them, to remember them,
to reach out our hands, in love, in faith
to try, in this small way to help them
walking because they must
August 15, 2009 – Facebook version
10/12/08
http://www.churchworldservice.org/CROP/
Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP) Walk,
Concord, NH, 10/11/08
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty
beautiful, brilliant fall afternoon
Very different than the daily struggle,
walking they do, to find food, water
walking in poverty, they have no choice.
But we, even in our abundance, trying, in a small way
walking with them, to remember them,
to reach out our hands, in love, in faith
to try, in this small way to help them
walking because they must
August 15, 2009 – Facebook version
10/12/08
http://www.churchworldservice.org/CROP/
Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP) Walk,
Concord, NH, 10/11/08
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty
A Burgundy Bramble
A vine, a burgundy bramble
blackberry bushes, tall, in the fall sun
shiny burgundy, yellow, green leaves
standing tall, as if for our pleasure
a visual gift from the creator
walking on the path
walking because they walk
sharing just a moment of insight
graced by the beauty of a fall day,
a walk through the fields
by a burgundy bramble
shimmering in the sun
the gift, a bright blue sky
blackberry bushes, tall, in the fall sun
shiny burgundy, yellow, green leaves
standing tall, as if for our pleasure
a visual gift from the creator
walking on the path
walking because they walk
sharing just a moment of insight
graced by the beauty of a fall day,
a walk through the fields
by a burgundy bramble
shimmering in the sun
the gift, a bright blue sky
August 15, 2009
A Burgundy Bramble – Blog Action
Day – Facebook version
October 11, 2008
A Burgundy Bramble – Blog Action
Day
Communities Responding to
Overcome Poverty (CROP) Walk,
Concord, NH
10/15/08
Blog Action Day, poverty
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 38,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Raising the Colors
Running to court, a quick filing
before racing to the office,
a swallow of coffee, gathering papers
another hearing, another court
Between these, the motion of the day
Stopping, pausing, watching
standing still, reverent
the raising of the colors
a moment of reflection
caught in the bright morning sun
time standing still
grateful for where I stand
August 14, 2009
8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags
Hooksett Family Division Court
Hooksett, NH
In the park, across from the court is a sign with the name,
Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident
who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon
before racing to the office,
a swallow of coffee, gathering papers
another hearing, another court
Between these, the motion of the day
Stopping, pausing, watching
standing still, reverent
the raising of the colors
a moment of reflection
caught in the bright morning sun
time standing still
grateful for where I stand
August 14, 2009
8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags
Hooksett Family Division Court
Hooksett, NH
In the park, across from the court is a sign with the name,
Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident
who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon
Focused on the Cross
off center, leading upward
in quietude, into prayer
time for contemplation
focused on the cross
walking in prayer
courses of the labyrinth
steps repeated
pictured in my mind
the cross always there
your love evident
mindfulness of your gift
focused on your cross
August 13, 2009 and August 14, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
in quietude, into prayer
time for contemplation
focused on the cross
walking in prayer
courses of the labyrinth
steps repeated
pictured in my mind
the cross always there
your love evident
mindfulness of your gift
focused on your cross
August 13, 2009 and August 14, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Centered on the Cross
Centered on the cross
The labyrinth changed
a birch cross,
placed within the rows
drawing us in,
a touchstone, a guidepost
Each stone, each step
leading to your sacrifice
adding something, reverence
setting this space
more fully apart
no longer part of the yard alone
sanctuary too
Holy ground
Centered on the cross
August 13, 2009 and August 14, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
The labyrinth changed
a birch cross,
placed within the rows
drawing us in,
a touchstone, a guidepost
Each stone, each step
leading to your sacrifice
adding something, reverence
setting this space
more fully apart
no longer part of the yard alone
sanctuary too
Holy ground
Centered on the cross
August 13, 2009 and August 14, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Silent Sermon - received via email on 8/6/09
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services re gularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit hi m.
It was a chilly evening... The preacher found the man at home alone, sittin g before a blazing fire... Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the
man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and wa ited..
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, h e contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly b urning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's f lame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire
was no more.. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced
at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked
up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Imme diately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the burning
coals around it..
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear runnin g down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Cons equently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken .
The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's aRelationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance !
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that's Test ing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that'sFaithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------that' s Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that'sConsecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of t he Lord -----that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!
Face it, God is crazy about you!
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have i n our lives.
It was a chilly evening... The preacher found the man at home alone, sittin g before a blazing fire... Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the
man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and wa ited..
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, h e contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly b urning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's f lame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire
was no more.. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced
at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked
up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Imme diately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the burning
coals around it..
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear runnin g down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Cons equently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken .
The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's aRelationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance !
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that's Test ing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that'sFaithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------that' s Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that'sConsecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of t he Lord -----that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!
Face it, God is crazy about you!
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have i n our lives.
Honor, Respect, and Fear
Honor, respect, and fear
shades of meaning
to understand the first step
the beginning of wisdom
Always present, all powerful
creator of the universe
listening to each of our cries
doing what is good
Awesome the thought
the creator’s power
His presence in our lives
reaching down from the heights
lifting us up.
August 13, 2009
Psalm 111:10
Psalm 111
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for August 13, 2009
New Revised Standard Version:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.”
New Century Version
“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.”
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 12, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
and see
----
The Beginning of Wisdom
In the beginning, we were afraid
we knew our nakedness
biting into the flesh of the fruit
of the forbidden tree
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
the psalmist wrote, oh so long ago
We forget so often
forget He is a jealous God
forget our weakness without him
walk in our own paths
for a separate false idol
graven images and temporal pleasures
Opportunities of epiphany lost
in our self-reliance
Cleave to the Lord
follow his commands
love one another
share in the Good News
Hear His still voice
burning within you now
July 1, 2006 7:50am
Psalm 111:10
shades of meaning
to understand the first step
the beginning of wisdom
Always present, all powerful
creator of the universe
listening to each of our cries
doing what is good
Awesome the thought
the creator’s power
His presence in our lives
reaching down from the heights
lifting us up.
August 13, 2009
Psalm 111:10
Psalm 111
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for August 13, 2009
New Revised Standard Version:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.”
New Century Version
“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.”
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 12, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
and see
----
The Beginning of Wisdom
In the beginning, we were afraid
we knew our nakedness
biting into the flesh of the fruit
of the forbidden tree
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
the psalmist wrote, oh so long ago
We forget so often
forget He is a jealous God
forget our weakness without him
walk in our own paths
for a separate false idol
graven images and temporal pleasures
Opportunities of epiphany lost
in our self-reliance
Cleave to the Lord
follow his commands
love one another
share in the Good News
Hear His still voice
burning within you now
July 1, 2006 7:50am
Psalm 111:10
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Fear of the Lord
Not our equal
merely in his image
a pale copy, feet of clay
dust into whom
you alone breathe life
Fear of the Lord
your awesome power
to judge, to love
You alone offering
salvation, redemption
I fall at your feet
begging for forgiveness
choosing to be a slave
you the Master of all.
a righteous fear in my heart.
August 12, 2009
Psalm 111:10
New Revised Standard Version:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.”
New Century Version
“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.”
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 12, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
and see
----
The Beginning of Wisdom
In the beginning, we were afraid
we knew our nakedness
biting into the flesh of the fruit
of the forbidden tree
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
the psalmist wrote, oh so long ago
We forget so often
forget He is a jealous God
forget our weakness without him
walk in our own paths
for a separate false idol
graven images and temporal pleasures
Opportunities of epiphany lost
in our self-reliance
Cleave to the Lord
follow his commands
love one another
share in the Good News
Hear His still voice
burning within you now
July 1, 2006 7:50am
Psalm 111:10
merely in his image
a pale copy, feet of clay
dust into whom
you alone breathe life
Fear of the Lord
your awesome power
to judge, to love
You alone offering
salvation, redemption
I fall at your feet
begging for forgiveness
choosing to be a slave
you the Master of all.
a righteous fear in my heart.
August 12, 2009
Psalm 111:10
New Revised Standard Version:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.”
New Century Version
“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.”
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 12, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
and see
----
The Beginning of Wisdom
In the beginning, we were afraid
we knew our nakedness
biting into the flesh of the fruit
of the forbidden tree
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
the psalmist wrote, oh so long ago
We forget so often
forget He is a jealous God
forget our weakness without him
walk in our own paths
for a separate false idol
graven images and temporal pleasures
Opportunities of epiphany lost
in our self-reliance
Cleave to the Lord
follow his commands
love one another
share in the Good News
Hear His still voice
burning within you now
July 1, 2006 7:50am
Psalm 111:10
The Wisdom in Fear
Understanding, from the beginning
awe and respect, aware
our distance from you
humbling ourselves
wisdom in fear
before you Creator
beyond our imagination
you before all
above everything
in heaven and below
the fear of the Lord
knowing my place
dust under your feet
clay in your hands
almighty God.
August 12, 2009
Psalm 111:10
New Revised Standard Version:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.”
New Century Version
“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.”
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 12, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
and see
----
The Beginning of Wisdom
In the beginning, we were afraid
we knew our nakedness
biting into the flesh of the fruit
of the forbidden tree
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
the psalmist wrote, oh so long ago
We forget so often
forget He is a jealous God
forget our weakness without him
walk in our own paths
for a separate false idol
graven images and temporal pleasures
Opportunities of epiphany lost
in our self-reliance
Cleave to the Lord
follow his commands
love one another
share in the Good News
Hear His still voice
burning within you now
July 1, 2006 7:50am
Psalm 111:10
awe and respect, aware
our distance from you
humbling ourselves
wisdom in fear
before you Creator
beyond our imagination
you before all
above everything
in heaven and below
the fear of the Lord
knowing my place
dust under your feet
clay in your hands
almighty God.
August 12, 2009
Psalm 111:10
New Revised Standard Version:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.”
New Century Version
“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.”
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 12, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
and see
----
The Beginning of Wisdom
In the beginning, we were afraid
we knew our nakedness
biting into the flesh of the fruit
of the forbidden tree
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
the psalmist wrote, oh so long ago
We forget so often
forget He is a jealous God
forget our weakness without him
walk in our own paths
for a separate false idol
graven images and temporal pleasures
Opportunities of epiphany lost
in our self-reliance
Cleave to the Lord
follow his commands
love one another
share in the Good News
Hear His still voice
burning within you now
July 1, 2006 7:50am
Psalm 111:10
A Cross in the Labyrinth
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Holy Clay
Dust, given life by the creator
clay, held to the earth
Holy, divine, in the image of God
stuff of greater worth
very good indeed
August 11, 2009 and August 12, 2009
Genesis 1:27
and “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
clay, held to the earth
Holy, divine, in the image of God
stuff of greater worth
very good indeed
August 11, 2009 and August 12, 2009
Genesis 1:27
and “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
IMAGINE
Ignore the limitations the world, or you, place on yourself;
Make a joyful noise, even if you sing off key;
Act as Chris’s followers in the world;
Go where you are sent;
Invite others into the family of God;
Name your dreams and strive to fulfill them; and then
Enter into His gates with praise.
August 11, 2009
Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 11, 2009
“Tuesday, August 11. Read Susan Gleason’s poem
“Imagine” (page 40). Write IMAGINE down the side
of a page and complete your own sentences as the poet has.”
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
Make a joyful noise, even if you sing off key;
Act as Chris’s followers in the world;
Go where you are sent;
Invite others into the family of God;
Name your dreams and strive to fulfill them; and then
Enter into His gates with praise.
August 11, 2009
Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 11, 2009
“Tuesday, August 11. Read Susan Gleason’s poem
“Imagine” (page 40). Write IMAGINE down the side
of a page and complete your own sentences as the poet has.”
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-10-16/
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
before there was nothing - Twitter version
“In the beginning, God”
before the form from the void
God, loving us
all creation into existence
8/11/09 – Twitter version
Gen 1:1
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
before the form from the void
God, loving us
all creation into existence
8/11/09 – Twitter version
Gen 1:1
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
before there was nothing
“In the beginning, God”
before there was nothing
before the form from the void
God, loving us, the world
all of creation into existence
August 11, 2009
Genesis 1:1
before there was nothing
before the form from the void
God, loving us, the world
all of creation into existence
August 11, 2009
Genesis 1:1
In the Beginning God
The start, the story
the message of the world
the love of God
connection, relationship
rules to live by
endless forgiveness
grace above all
There before, eternal
bringing all that was,
all that is, all to come
into existence
Beginning with the beginning
beginning with God
August 11, 2009
Genesis 1:1
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,530+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the message of the world
the love of God
connection, relationship
rules to live by
endless forgiveness
grace above all
There before, eternal
bringing all that was,
all that is, all to come
into existence
Beginning with the beginning
beginning with God
August 11, 2009
Genesis 1:1
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,530+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
God the Actor
At the beginning,
before the beginning of time
before the beginning
God alive, God eternal
God the actor, bringing forth
creator, imagination seeing
all that is to be, all that was
by his hands brought into being
Loving us, caring for us
bringing us back to him when we stray
the wonder of creation
a window on the creator
God the actor in his world
August 11, 2009
Genesis 1:1
before the beginning of time
before the beginning
God alive, God eternal
God the actor, bringing forth
creator, imagination seeing
all that is to be, all that was
by his hands brought into being
Loving us, caring for us
bringing us back to him when we stray
the wonder of creation
a window on the creator
God the actor in his world
August 11, 2009
Genesis 1:1
NH Bar News Article about my book and another attorney's book of poetry
http://www.nhbar.org/publications/display-news-issue.asp?id=5213
Frozen Tears
Birch, still frozen early morning
tears hanging, frozen in time
As the disquiet, remembering
events of this day, so long ago.
Pain, tears, frozen in His story
the Word, torn this day
deserted and alone to face the cross.
Time stood still, darkness fell
he breathed his last.
Frozen words, chilling the disciples.
His ministry ended, His life done.
Frozen tears hanging heavy
on this Good Friday
August 11, 2009 – Facebook version
4/10/09
on the walk home from Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
tears hanging, frozen in time
As the disquiet, remembering
events of this day, so long ago.
Pain, tears, frozen in His story
the Word, torn this day
deserted and alone to face the cross.
Time stood still, darkness fell
he breathed his last.
Frozen words, chilling the disciples.
His ministry ended, His life done.
Frozen tears hanging heavy
on this Good Friday
August 11, 2009 – Facebook version
4/10/09
on the walk home from Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
Monday, August 10, 2009
Fired up for Christ on Monday
One of the messages on the screen
we are so fired up for Christ
sitting safely, reverently, in the pews on Sunday
If only we could be fired up for Christ
Monday, throughout the week,
in our work, in our play, in our daily lives
as we live out our days,
never shy about our faith
what we believe,
ready to share our journey
our love of Christ
whenever the spirit moves us
August 10, 2009 – Facebook version
October 11, 2008
Please watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-Nhfw
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-should-keep-us-all-thinking.html
we are so fired up for Christ
sitting safely, reverently, in the pews on Sunday
If only we could be fired up for Christ
Monday, throughout the week,
in our work, in our play, in our daily lives
as we live out our days,
never shy about our faith
what we believe,
ready to share our journey
our love of Christ
whenever the spirit moves us
August 10, 2009 – Facebook version
October 11, 2008
Please watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-Nhfw
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-should-keep-us-all-thinking.html
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Into God’s Hands
My cares, my worries,
the load I am carrying
Into God’s hands
I place them,
at the altar rail,
the communion rail
as I receive his gift
the bread and the cup
leaving them with the one
who will provide
if I but trust in him
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
the load I am carrying
Into God’s hands
I place them,
at the altar rail,
the communion rail
as I receive his gift
the bread and the cup
leaving them with the one
who will provide
if I but trust in him
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Trust in God
She asked the children,
“what do the flowers and the birds
have in common?”
a question for a lesson
in the answer from one of them.
“They all trust in God.”
A perfect answer,
the words of the scripture
the prophet and the savior
come to life in her faith.
We too soon forget,
become jaded by the world
not trusting that God will provide.
Come to me as a child
our savior would call.
Believe so you may see.
Trust in God
for He will provide.
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
“what do the flowers and the birds
have in common?”
a question for a lesson
in the answer from one of them.
“They all trust in God.”
A perfect answer,
the words of the scripture
the prophet and the savior
come to life in her faith.
We too soon forget,
become jaded by the world
not trusting that God will provide.
Come to me as a child
our savior would call.
Believe so you may see.
Trust in God
for He will provide.
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Why Worry
If we could but believe
trust in God as we say we do
no reason for worry
for cares of this earth
Our needs met,
our daily bread,
what we will wear
all provided by God
More than the birds of the trees
and the grasses of the field
God will care for us
his children
if we but turn our worries
over to him
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
trust in God as we say we do
no reason for worry
for cares of this earth
Our needs met,
our daily bread,
what we will wear
all provided by God
More than the birds of the trees
and the grasses of the field
God will care for us
his children
if we but turn our worries
over to him
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Only God
The words of the scripture
echoing in the words of the pastors
vivid in the images shared
Only God can make something
so beautiful, as a bird, as flowers
a field swaying in bloom
rich vibrant colors
more than any human can make
conjured only by the creator
out of the imagination of God
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
echoing in the words of the pastors
vivid in the images shared
Only God can make something
so beautiful, as a bird, as flowers
a field swaying in bloom
rich vibrant colors
more than any human can make
conjured only by the creator
out of the imagination of God
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Only the Present
Only the present is real
the past an illusion,
the future a promise
Only the present, mindfulness
fully in the present
this is what we may experience
what we may know
where we find each other
where we come
into the presence of God
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
the past an illusion,
the future a promise
Only the present, mindfulness
fully in the present
this is what we may experience
what we may know
where we find each other
where we come
into the presence of God
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Leaving it Here
Leaving our cares, our worries
here in the sanctuary, at the communion rail
assured of our future, as children of God
unable to change the past,
enough to worry about today
God alone can provide,
no effort we may make a difference
trust in God, that God is here
leave our cares here
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
here in the sanctuary, at the communion rail
assured of our future, as children of God
unable to change the past,
enough to worry about today
God alone can provide,
no effort we may make a difference
trust in God, that God is here
leave our cares here
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Mindfulness of Worship
Oh that I could always experience
that I would let go
each moment precious
savoring the time
the presence of the Lord
the mindfulness of worship
time set apart
not to judge, not to do something
to experience, to be in this moment
knowing the freedom from worry
our future assured
because of the sacrifice
the gift of grace of Christ
fully present in this now
worshipping together
in my community of faith
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
that I would let go
each moment precious
savoring the time
the presence of the Lord
the mindfulness of worship
time set apart
not to judge, not to do something
to experience, to be in this moment
knowing the freedom from worry
our future assured
because of the sacrifice
the gift of grace of Christ
fully present in this now
worshipping together
in my community of faith
August 9, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31
Matthew 6:24-34
and message for children
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
and sermon, “Leaving it in God’s Hands”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
August 9, 2009
Larger Stones
Around the edges,
the outside of the paths
barriers to the world
this place set apart
walling out the troubles
the cares of our times
sentries on the perimeter
guarding the prayers
offered in this place
August 6, 2009 and August 9, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the outside of the paths
barriers to the world
this place set apart
walling out the troubles
the cares of our times
sentries on the perimeter
guarding the prayers
offered in this place
August 6, 2009 and August 9, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Can of Cat Food
So seriously, so purposely
saying the words, fulfilling them as well
“In this house, in this kitchen,
the first ingredient of any recipe is
a can of cat food”. And so it was,
the blueberry pancakes preceded
by a can of cat food for Max.
A few bites later, no more than a taste
he left satisfied, approving of our feast.
No longer underfoot,
actually nowhere to be found
the king of the castle, gone for a nap
August 9, 2009
saying the words, fulfilling them as well
“In this house, in this kitchen,
the first ingredient of any recipe is
a can of cat food”. And so it was,
the blueberry pancakes preceded
by a can of cat food for Max.
A few bites later, no more than a taste
he left satisfied, approving of our feast.
No longer underfoot,
actually nowhere to be found
the king of the castle, gone for a nap
August 9, 2009
In reverent mediation
A change in my gait, in my breathing
walking on the rocks, on the beach
in reverent mediation
slowing my pace, taking in the sea air
feeling the sand under my feet
the warming stones, the hot beach
lingering, looking toward the horizon
then my head cast to my feet
crouching down, to see the small shells,
the little smooth wet stones
the amethyst, brown, and clear sea glass
bits of porcelain, like the sea glass
smoothed by the journey from the sea
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
walking on the rocks, on the beach
in reverent mediation
slowing my pace, taking in the sea air
feeling the sand under my feet
the warming stones, the hot beach
lingering, looking toward the horizon
then my head cast to my feet
crouching down, to see the small shells,
the little smooth wet stones
the amethyst, brown, and clear sea glass
bits of porcelain, like the sea glass
smoothed by the journey from the sea
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
Venturing Out
calling me further
venturing out
into the ocean, deeper
as if they had gone there before
sisters together
first time in these waters
calling me further
to our moving destination
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
venturing out
into the ocean, deeper
as if they had gone there before
sisters together
first time in these waters
calling me further
to our moving destination
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
Someone Inside
The whelk shell,
a potential treasure
just about the tideline
as the tide was going out
heavier than to be expected
until I noticed
someone inside
his legs barely exposed
a crab inside the warming shell
cast out into deeper waters
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
a potential treasure
just about the tideline
as the tide was going out
heavier than to be expected
until I noticed
someone inside
his legs barely exposed
a crab inside the warming shell
cast out into deeper waters
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
Small Shells, Small Stones
At the high tide mark
at the place between the tides
small shells, small stones
beach glass made smooth
in the tumbling of the surf
little treasures,
the ocean in miniature
in the band of the beach
where the water and the sand meet
where the stones
work against one another
where the battles of life and death
repeat themselves, over and over
little worlds revealed
in the small shells, small stones
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
at the place between the tides
small shells, small stones
beach glass made smooth
in the tumbling of the surf
little treasures,
the ocean in miniature
in the band of the beach
where the water and the sand meet
where the stones
work against one another
where the battles of life and death
repeat themselves, over and over
little worlds revealed
in the small shells, small stones
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
and visit on August 7, 2009
to North Kingstown, RI
town beach
In the Tidepools
In the rocks, the ledge,
the outcropping of the glacier
below the cliffs, the lighthouse
small tidepools
bits of warming water
held between the tides
a world within them
if we pause and wonder
the lashes of the barnacles
miniature crabs
the mussels and snails
living still
in the living water
in the tidepools
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
the outcropping of the glacier
below the cliffs, the lighthouse
small tidepools
bits of warming water
held between the tides
a world within them
if we pause and wonder
the lashes of the barnacles
miniature crabs
the mussels and snails
living still
in the living water
in the tidepools
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
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 30,450+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
The Waves Sang Your Praise
A sweet fragrance
a rousing chorus
the waves sang your praise
crashing on the rocks
just after the turn of the tides
coming in once more
the foretaste of high tide
hours from this moment
but coming to be sure
as sure as the tides
The waves sang your praise
and the wind joined in the chorus
bringing with it
a hint of the deep
the warming stones,
new wet from the breakers
a blending of the scents
below the cliff, at the water’s edge
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
a rousing chorus
the waves sang your praise
crashing on the rocks
just after the turn of the tides
coming in once more
the foretaste of high tide
hours from this moment
but coming to be sure
as sure as the tides
The waves sang your praise
and the wind joined in the chorus
bringing with it
a hint of the deep
the warming stones,
new wet from the breakers
a blending of the scents
below the cliff, at the water’s edge
August 9, 2009
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
Cupped in my hand
Alive, moving in my hands
the arms stretching, turning;
already warmed, by the sun above
a starfish, pulled from the rocks
beyond of the water’s edge,
shortly after low tide ebb
Setting my footing
on the sand, the barnacles,
the smooth sand-polished shale
watching for my audience
casting the starfish
out into the sea
Another starfish, found by the girls
another rescue to complete
returned to the sea
the weight of the starfish
the reminder of our choices
to make a difference
to be an actor in the world
August 9, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
the arms stretching, turning;
already warmed, by the sun above
a starfish, pulled from the rocks
beyond of the water’s edge,
shortly after low tide ebb
Setting my footing
on the sand, the barnacles,
the smooth sand-polished shale
watching for my audience
casting the starfish
out into the sea
Another starfish, found by the girls
another rescue to complete
returned to the sea
the weight of the starfish
the reminder of our choices
to make a difference
to be an actor in the world
August 9, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
The Weight of the Starfish
Called by the girls, to their shape
the starfish beyond the water’s reach
in the shrinking pools
the rocks drying in the air
the rust pink of the starfish
alive outside the sea
The weight of the starfish
nestled in my hand
Feeling the message, the lesson
alive in my hands;
casting the starfish
back into the sea.
Repeating the scene
for three more starfish
returning them to the ocean,
each caught in that in-between place
the warming stones
before the cooling of the waters
August 9, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
the starfish beyond the water’s reach
in the shrinking pools
the rocks drying in the air
the rust pink of the starfish
alive outside the sea
The weight of the starfish
nestled in my hand
Feeling the message, the lesson
alive in my hands;
casting the starfish
back into the sea.
Repeating the scene
for three more starfish
returning them to the ocean,
each caught in that in-between place
the warming stones
before the cooling of the waters
August 9, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org
Invisible Christians
A challenge, a call to be something different
not longer invisible Christians,
only seen in the pews on Sunday,
Standing up to be visible,
even among those who do not believe,
who will not confess
the truth of your existence, oh God
Standing up, to be visible,
professing our faith, each day
out in the world
bringing our faith, our Lord
our master’s love
to the ends of the earth
August 9, 2009 – Facebook version
October 11, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-Nhfw
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-should-keep-us-all-thinking.html
not longer invisible Christians,
only seen in the pews on Sunday,
Standing up to be visible,
even among those who do not believe,
who will not confess
the truth of your existence, oh God
Standing up, to be visible,
professing our faith, each day
out in the world
bringing our faith, our Lord
our master’s love
to the ends of the earth
August 9, 2009 – Facebook version
October 11, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-Nhfw
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-should-keep-us-all-thinking.html
With Palms Waving
They danced,
with palms waving, bodies swaying
centering our worship
feeling Christ, riding on a donkey,
in the sanctuary,
made holy ground,
With palms waving, voices singing
the joy of the morning
the triumphant entrance invoked
hands of the servants, clapping,
waving, moving to the Spirit
rising with our “hosannas!”,
singing, celebrating, worshiping the king
with palms waving!
August 9, 2009 – Facebook version
April 5, 2009
Isaiah 43:10-13
Mark 11:1-10
Palm Sunday
and sermon, “Can I Help?”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 5, 2009
with palms waving, bodies swaying
centering our worship
feeling Christ, riding on a donkey,
in the sanctuary,
made holy ground,
With palms waving, voices singing
the joy of the morning
the triumphant entrance invoked
hands of the servants, clapping,
waving, moving to the Spirit
rising with our “hosannas!”,
singing, celebrating, worshiping the king
with palms waving!
August 9, 2009 – Facebook version
April 5, 2009
Isaiah 43:10-13
Mark 11:1-10
Palm Sunday
and sermon, “Can I Help?”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 5, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
I Am the Sacrifice
He said, “I am the Bread,
the bread that gives life.”
the metaphor, he is the way
the bridge between man and God
But made real, urgent
leaving nothing unspoken
connecting the thoughts together
in the next words
spoken clearly by the Son
The bread his body
I am the sacrifice.
the bread of heaven
broken and shared
that the world may have life.
August 7, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
and The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for August 7, 2009
and
John 6:35, 41-51
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 5, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-3-9/
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Communion
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30
the bread that gives life.”
the metaphor, he is the way
the bridge between man and God
But made real, urgent
leaving nothing unspoken
connecting the thoughts together
in the next words
spoken clearly by the Son
The bread his body
I am the sacrifice.
the bread of heaven
broken and shared
that the world may have life.
August 7, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
and The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for August 7, 2009
and
John 6:35, 41-51
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 5, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-3-9/
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Communion
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30
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 30,770+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
We are All His Witnesses
Not merely the first twelve
all of us commissioned, appointed, charged
to be His witnesses, to tell of his great love
consciously, going out, spreading the good news
and, less so, being where you need to be
bearing witness to God’s love
sharing our faith, our belief
our receiving of God’s grace
the good news, passed down
open to moments, unplanned
to be Christ, when God calls.
8/7/09 – Facebook version
10/5/08
Acts 1:6-9
Romans 10:11-17 and
Sermon “We Are Appointed”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
October 5, 2008
all of us commissioned, appointed, charged
to be His witnesses, to tell of his great love
consciously, going out, spreading the good news
and, less so, being where you need to be
bearing witness to God’s love
sharing our faith, our belief
our receiving of God’s grace
the good news, passed down
open to moments, unplanned
to be Christ, when God calls.
8/7/09 – Facebook version
10/5/08
Acts 1:6-9
Romans 10:11-17 and
Sermon “We Are Appointed”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
October 5, 2008
At the Rail Received
We kneeled, at the rail received
the bread, the wine
the body, the blood,
sharing the communion meal,
at God’s table, the Lord’s
sharing the elements
the parts, in remembrance
pausing for the invocation, the invitation
of the pastor, his blessing,
rising to return to our pews
silent, reverent, in appreciation
thanking the savior
for his wondrous gift
a sharing around the world
8/7/09 – Facebook version
10/5/08
World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2008
Matthew 26:26-29
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:15-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Suncook United Methodist Church
the bread, the wine
the body, the blood,
sharing the communion meal,
at God’s table, the Lord’s
sharing the elements
the parts, in remembrance
pausing for the invocation, the invitation
of the pastor, his blessing,
rising to return to our pews
silent, reverent, in appreciation
thanking the savior
for his wondrous gift
a sharing around the world
8/7/09 – Facebook version
10/5/08
World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2008
Matthew 26:26-29
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:15-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Suncook United Methodist Church
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 28,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Brotherly Love
even in the heat
seeking him out
finding him there
leaning on his brother
nestled together
sleeping peacefully
in brotherly love.
Much we can learn
seeking out our brother,
our sister, our neighbors
leaning on each other
our way more peaceful
easier, living
in brotherly love.
August 5, 2009
Larry and Moe,
late August afternoon
seeking him out
finding him there
leaning on his brother
nestled together
sleeping peacefully
in brotherly love.
Much we can learn
seeking out our brother,
our sister, our neighbors
leaning on each other
our way more peaceful
easier, living
in brotherly love.
August 5, 2009
Larry and Moe,
late August afternoon
Stones under the brush
Beyond the fields
at the edge of the woods
stones scattered
cast into the brush.
Gathering the stones together
creating lines, courses
the rows of the labyrinth
framed in part
the foundlings
stones beyond the fields
under the brush
before the woods.
August 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
at the edge of the woods
stones scattered
cast into the brush.
Gathering the stones together
creating lines, courses
the rows of the labyrinth
framed in part
the foundlings
stones beyond the fields
under the brush
before the woods.
August 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
As we eat the bread
As we eat of the bread
prayerfully aware,
The single loaf,
the one way
the bread that gives life
His body, given for us
broken and shared
offering us a way
back to the Father,
the creator who sent him
whom he alone has seen
Mortal and divine
the son, our brother
the savior of all
August 5, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 5, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-3-9/
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Communion
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30
prayerfully aware,
The single loaf,
the one way
the bread that gives life
His body, given for us
broken and shared
offering us a way
back to the Father,
the creator who sent him
whom he alone has seen
Mortal and divine
the son, our brother
the savior of all
August 5, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 5, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-3-9/
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Communion
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30
The Ground Yielding
The ground yielding its stones
buried under the soil
the rich loam, the grassy lawns
the forests, the brush
hidden from view, sneaking out
sometimes sitting free
giving to my spade, my will
stones, rocks from the earth
gathering them all,
to frame the walls of the prayers
this sanctuary,
this place of peace
August 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
buried under the soil
the rich loam, the grassy lawns
the forests, the brush
hidden from view, sneaking out
sometimes sitting free
giving to my spade, my will
stones, rocks from the earth
gathering them all,
to frame the walls of the prayers
this sanctuary,
this place of peace
August 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
A Time to Gather Stones
The wisdom goes, a time to scatter stones,
a time to gather stones together
This time, a time to place stones
in a straight line, end to end
rows of stones, silent
witnesses to prayers
murmured, breathed between them
Round, smooth, sharp, squared
framing the space, holy ground
ancient stone, living vessel
a safe place to walk in prayer
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
a time to gather stones together
This time, a time to place stones
in a straight line, end to end
rows of stones, silent
witnesses to prayers
murmured, breathed between them
Round, smooth, sharp, squared
framing the space, holy ground
ancient stone, living vessel
a safe place to walk in prayer
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Consecrating the ground
Laying down prayers
step by silent step
consecrating the ground
the path, the labyrinth
becoming holy,
a place set apart
The gathered stones placed
framing the rows she was walking
prayers offered to our God
walking the labyrinth
consecrating this space
now holy ground.
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
step by silent step
consecrating the ground
the path, the labyrinth
becoming holy,
a place set apart
The gathered stones placed
framing the rows she was walking
prayers offered to our God
walking the labyrinth
consecrating this space
now holy ground.
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All
of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me
at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 21,610+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Gathering Stones
Gathering stones
from the yard, from the garden
from the earth,
the congregation, the land
bringing them together
different kinds, different shapes
different colors
placing each one,
framing the prayers
touching their neighbors
before and behind
living lines of stone
covering the ground
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
from the yard, from the garden
from the earth,
the congregation, the land
bringing them together
different kinds, different shapes
different colors
placing each one,
framing the prayers
touching their neighbors
before and behind
living lines of stone
covering the ground
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Between the Stones
Between the stones
the rows of the labyrinth
prayers offered to God
our creator, our savior, our king
captured within this space
this place set apart
words laid down
as we walk this path
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the rows of the labyrinth
prayers offered to God
our creator, our savior, our king
captured within this space
this place set apart
words laid down
as we walk this path
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Hallowing the Space
Only for prayers
hallowing this space
this place set apart
the stones a reminder
this is holy ground
Not a path,
a way to the swings
This place set apart
for petitions to God
for talking with the creator
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
hallowing this space
this place set apart
the stones a reminder
this is holy ground
Not a path,
a way to the swings
This place set apart
for petitions to God
for talking with the creator
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Laying down prayers
Walking the path
the rows of the labyrinth
laying down prayers
making this ground holy
in each step she took
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the rows of the labyrinth
laying down prayers
making this ground holy
in each step she took
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Placing Stones
Placing stones
end upon end
each one touching another
in measured rows
row upon row
the labyrinth coming to life
words placed between the stones
prayers falling,
consecrating this space.
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
end upon end
each one touching another
in measured rows
row upon row
the labyrinth coming to life
words placed between the stones
prayers falling,
consecrating this space.
August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Labyrinth
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Prayer Labyrinth - in our backyard - stones needed
Here is a link to the post requesting stones on the Suncook United Methodist Church website -- http://www.suncookumc.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=6CC0D51B-EFA8-40C5-A21A816016C4A334&method=display.
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
The Bread of Life
The bread of life
basic, essential food
a simple metaphor
of something far grander
So he spoke, to the people
in words that had common meaning
in that time and place
Bread of life
offered for us
food of life
daily bread
living water
I am these he said
a precious gift from God
needed for life
August 2, 2009 and August 3, 2009
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
basic, essential food
a simple metaphor
of something far grander
So he spoke, to the people
in words that had common meaning
in that time and place
Bread of life
offered for us
food of life
daily bread
living water
I am these he said
a precious gift from God
needed for life
August 2, 2009 and August 3, 2009
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Appointed
We are appointed
commissioned by the same Spirit
living, growing within us
to spread His message of love
commissioned, appointed
witnesses of Christ’s love
sacrificial loving servant
humble king, fulfilling still
scriptures, law, promises of God
Grace, living, flowing from our hands
our hearts, our feet
walking in his pathways
reaching out his hands
sharing God’s love,
imprinted on our lives
August 3, 2009 – Facebook version
October 4, 2008
Acts 1:6-9
commissioned by the same Spirit
living, growing within us
to spread His message of love
commissioned, appointed
witnesses of Christ’s love
sacrificial loving servant
humble king, fulfilling still
scriptures, law, promises of God
Grace, living, flowing from our hands
our hearts, our feet
walking in his pathways
reaching out his hands
sharing God’s love,
imprinted on our lives
August 3, 2009 – Facebook version
October 4, 2008
Acts 1:6-9
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