Abraham’s Children

Like the tax collector
we are all Abraham’s children
children of the promise
of the savior, of the creator
sheep in the flock,
shepherds for other
wayward sheep
even as we wander
we need the grace
the shepherding of the Lord
the staff guiding us
away from danger
and distance
from our neighbor,
from our God
to be a full member
in the household of God
to be Abraham’s children
and heirs to the promise

November 10, 2007 9:23pm
Luke 19:1-10

Abraham’s Son

A blessing cured him
his estrangement wiped clean
He was Abraham’s son
his breached sealed
in his service, his humility
His love for his neighbor
rekindled, mediated
reconciling him with the community
returning him to the flock, the heirs
of the promise of old

November 10, 2007 9:19pm
Luke 19:1-10
The Story of Zaccheus

Saints

Touching our lives, setting an example
a way of living out the commandments
for us to follow and to model
for those who follow us ourselves
it is the way it has been since He was here
walking the earth in mortal clothes
wearing the apron, the crown, the cross
a servant even to death
a saint among us
followers all
are we

November 10, 2007 9:15pm
Luke 6:20-26

Blessed are You

A personal, specific, individual
blessing, you are blessed
You, I, blessed by the Savior
affirming God’s favor,
directly, personally, intimately
grace given to you
anointed, bestowed upon you
Wow!

November 10, 2007 9:11pm
Luke 6:20-26

Think deeply

Ponder and thought
or so we ought
rather than blurt and bluster
which can make others fluster
well, enough of the rhyme at least
to put my mind at ease
thinking on the wisdom of the Proverb
to think before we speak,
hard for one who thinks on his feet
in the words in the ether
dancing in rhythms of their own
coalescing in cogent truths
conjured in the process of speech


November 10, 2007 8:35pm
If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.- Proverbs 18:13 (NRSV)

Vertebrate

Nothing so much as a beautiful
exposed skeleton, standing tall, all erect
so were the stately trees, going down the hill
heading for home once more
standing tall against the frozen blow
the frigid air, even in autumn
the raw March wind
that October day
tall elms,
standing still
remaining where they are
living still in the yards off the
central streets, the crowded corridors
bearing the names of stately trees, long gone
Skeletons, swaying, bending but not breaking
in the fall wind
elegant in their exposed state
vertebrates, definitely

November 10, 2007 8:30pm

The There Gene

Oh, my mistake, on correcting the paper
the “there” needs to be a “their”;
but I forgot, you have the there gene.
A block, glitch, a predilection to find
there, when they’re or their would be the better
to be unable to see the there
that should be there
Oh if only their there
were here; but they’re a long way off,
far from here
They are is they’re,
there is where they’re
is their there

11/6/07 10:45am
on Erica’s predilection
for writing there

When She Said Yes

What a change a single word
spoken with a smile
has had on my life
changing a man to a father
a father of three precious girls
each a wondrous, wonderful
a powerful gift of God
And she herself, my friend,
my confidante, my all
From that day on, we have been
we are joined, affirmed, cared for
through all the days since
all the days we are given to come
not in the wedding service,
not in the ritual, the paperwork;
it began, in the smiling eyes,
the embrace, the kiss
when she said yes

November 9, 2007
of November 9, 2004
when Ruth said yes, when I asked
Twice

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,800+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Each Day

Each and every day
of our lives here on earth
a gift from the creator
to learn and share, to grow
find purpose, and meaning
to see new horizons, deeper insights
moments to cherish, days to endure
each day a chance, an opportunity
to make a difference, to see possibilities
to smell the roses, to paint the colors
into our minds. See, seek each day unique
unlike every other, like a snowflake
before its melting on the still-warm ground
A wish for joy, for peace,
for wonder and appreciation
for this day, still new in the eye of God
Another moment to reflect and ponder
our place in the world, our choices, our future
our impact, especially on those we love

November 7, 2007

Leaves after a rain

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 18,700+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Pumpkinheads

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 18,700+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sermon - "Glass Houses", given by Ruth L. Foss, Sanbornville United Methodist Church, Wakefield, NH, October 28, 2007

How many of you have heard the old expression “people who live in glass houses should not throw stones”? Boy…that was one of my mother’s favorite expressions growing up…people who live in glass houses…should…not…throw…stones! It is one of my favorite expressions to use with my daughters too…when they start pointing out all the wrongs that their sister’s do…that and Matthew 7:3-5. Paraphrased…why are you looking at the speck in you sisters eye and can’t see the log in your own…how can you tell her “let me help you get that little speck out of there for ya”…get that log out of your eye so that you can see to remove the speck in your sisters.
Glass houses…who would want to live in one? There’s nothing but windows…everyone can see what is going on…it’s like living in a fish bowl. Not to mention that when a storm comes…you live in fear of your windows being blown out. Boy…what a mess that would be for you to have to clean up…the broken shards of those windows that you just cleaned and polished. For me…I say…glass houses, who needs them? But there are so many of us that live in those glass houses and are in danger of someone coming by…with a brick…and have the whole house come tumbling down.

In the scripture from Luke…Jesus is telling a parable…a story to those around Him. It is told for not just the Pharisee…but…also for all Disciples and believers. We are all just as vulnerable to pride and self righteousness as the Pharisee. The parable ends with “ALL who exalt themselves will be humbled…and ALL who are humbled will be exalted.” The operative word here is ALL.
The Pharisee in the Luke Scripture…boy did he live in a glass house and how it came tumbling down upon him. Boy…was he just a little delusional. But in his eyes he was not. He did everything he thought he was called to do. He gave his tithe... he fasted bi-weekly…he did it all. But there was one thing he had wrong…he lived by the letter of the Law not the spirit of the Law.

Jesus came to teach about the spirit of the Law…to put on the love of God and to share that love…that understanding…with those around us. This is one thing that Pharisee failed to do. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew…he told them to go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father in heaven, not like the hypocrites that do it out in the open in the Synagogues for all to see. This man…this Pharisee…had it wrong. Jesus taught that acts of righteousness should not be done before men to be seen by them. This Pharisee was all puffed up on himself because he was so righteous…he had it wrong…again. The Father, who sees what is done in secret, will…reward…you. If it is done before man, the reward is already been given unto you…but not a reward by God’s standard but the reward by the standard of man. Which would you rather have?

Now…you may ask “what about the tax collector…he was praying in public just like the Pharisee was.”? Well…I’m glad you asked that question…it means you were listening to the scripture. The tax collector…unlike the Pharisee…came humbly before the throne of God. He knew that he was unworthy…that he was a sinner. He just humbly asked for forgiveness…not that he thought it was something that he truly deserved. The tax collector received his reward…by God’s standard…he received forgiveness…he was made righteous before the Lord…whereas the Pharisee received his reward…his pat on the back…his ata boy…by the worlds standard. Who do you think received the better “prize”?

We don’t know why the Pharisee’s prayer was not heard…not accepted…by God. Did he presume he was righteous and was not? Is the fact that he separated himself from others a signal that, although he may not realize it, he has separated himself from God as well? We are not told why it was unacceptable only that…it…was. The Pharisee had enough religion to be virtuous, but not enough to be humble. As a result his religion drove him away from the tax collector rather than toward him.

This part of the Luke scripture reminds me of a poem that was written by my husband Ray. It talks about this tax collector…this sinner but…it also talks about us today. It is called “Humbling Himself”.

His head to the floor, his heart begging
for forgiveness, fully aware of his sin,
his need for God, because
he could not make himself holy
Of that much he was sure
his prayer was in abject supplication,
falling before God
Praying for mercy,
as he was a sinner
So must we pray,
knowing we too
need His grace
as we are sinners too

A renewing of the heart…of the mind…of our will…that is what we need to change our selfishness into Godliness.

OK…so how in the world are we to put our lives in perspective? How can we turn our thoughts from linear to vertical…from the world’s standards to God’s standards? We need to see our lives through the eyes of God. Everything we have is a gift from God. Our possessions…our talents…our salvation…is given to us by God’s grace…not by our own abilities but by the abilities given to us…shared with us…from and by God.

In the Psalm that we read together this morning…we are given a glimpse…shown a pattern…of how we can renew our minds. We need to see what we have n life as a gift…undeserved, unmerited…from God. The Psalm also shows us that by remembering…by taking stock of our lives…we can refocus our lives from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.

David knew who God was and what God had done…and still does…for mankind. David knew…beyond a shadow of doubt…that the Lord…answers…prayer. David talks about God’s goodness…God’s deliverance…God’s salvation. David remembered God’s mighty deeds…about how the Lord established the mountains and the seas…how God is the Creator of all things. David remembered God’s providence…how He waters the earth and blesses it with growth…with abundance…of how the earth sings with joy.

We too must bring to mind the blessings that are lavished upon us each moment of every day. Each new day is a gift given to us by God. We need to remember how God has provided in the past therefore…we have hope for the future.

Unfortunately…we are convinced that we either do have or should have everything in control. We are generally convinced that we have “earned” our prosperity. By thinking this way…we have a loss of wonder and an inability to sing songs of praise about the reliability of life. We loose our joy and forget who we are in Christ and why we are here on earth. We forget that we are here for God’s pleasure and that God bestows good things on those who call upon the name of the Lord and believe. What a sad, confused, stressed out way to live our lives.

Trusting in oneself…is obviously a posture of blindness to one’s position before God. Like the strong man who trusted in his armor in Luke 11:21-22, who lost his armor when he was over taken when someone stronger attacked, we too will lose when we rely on things of the world to keep us safe…to make us strong. The religious may trust in their righteousness but…just how righteous are they? Our willingness to admit our defeat and failure, and our willingness to call upon God to enter our struggles, are met with God’s abundant love and provision.

In life…in our walk with God…we have choices. God has given us free will. We are free to choose to be like the Pharisee…happy and content with ourselves. We can follow all the rituals that religion gives us…to follow the law…and still…miss…the …mark. Or…we can be like the tax collector. WE can come humbly before God…admit our brokenness…ask for forgiveness and come away from our encounter with our Risen Lord, renewed…revived…changed by the grace of God. We can realize we are nothing…we have nothing…unless it is by the loving grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Rock, our Redeemer.

In closing I would like to share with you a poem by my favorite poet of this day. It is called “Naked in a Glass House”, it reminds me of people in society today who live in their own glass houses. It reads:

His false piety, summed up in his certainty
of his own standing, earning a ticket to joy
judging others in the temple, in the courts
by the letter of the law, a righteous man
by going through the motions
stepping the steps of the saints
missing the point in the acts themselves
forgetting the distance between man
and God, forgetting the history
of the people, the lessons of Job
the teachings of the master
walking around naked in the glass house
exposed as surely as Adam and Eve
after tasting the apple
but he was unaware,
blinded by the steps
taken for show
not for God’s glory

May we always remember that if we rely too heavily on what we think are our own abilities...our world just may come tumbling down around us like to walls of Jericho.
AMEN

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 30,100+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sermon - "Do It as Unto the Lord", given by Ruth L. Foss, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH, October 21, 2007

The Scripture reading today from Timothy reminds me of my childhood. My parents and family taught me so many things. They taught me how to walk, to talk, and to run. They taught me right from wrong and how to treat others. It was not only my family that taught me…but so many other people, on my journey in life, that have taught me so many things…even today.(yes…I am actually still learning) I think that without their teachings, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I am sure that you remember the people in your life that taught you things. They are the people who stand out in our lives…the people who made a difference. The type of teaching that Paul is talking to Timothy about was his ‘Spiritual Training”, his “wisdom” training.

A secure guideline to wisdom and wholeness as recognized by God is the holy writings…scripture…which constituted Timothy’s textbook, his way of life, from his childhood. Timothy ultimately owed much to his mother (Eunice) and his grandmother (Lois) teachings. Back then it was the Torah, the Prophets, and the writings that provided the curriculum for Jewish boys as well as Israel’s law book and prayer book. It seems to me that Timothy was a well rounded child.

Paul told Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.” He was to continue in his walk with God as he did as a child. He was to do as he learned from scripture. Paul knew that all scripture is useful for everything…at all times…it is timeless and endures forever. By doing this…by following the ways he learned as a child…Timothy would be able to stand in times of trial. What a blessed assurance we get when we know that God’s word will help us in our time of need…no matter what the need is. There is no need too large or too small that the Word of God cannot quench. (All I can say is a big AMEN on that!) Scripture is God-breathed and not merely the prophet who is inspired…the speaking of words given not by the conscious mind but directly by God processing or the Spirit inspiring. As God breathed the breath of life into man and said not that it was good but it was very good…God breathed Scripture and it too is very good.

Paul urged Timothy to “proclaim the message.” He was to take what he had learned and share it with others. The best way for him to do this was not by the world’s standards but by God’s standards. He was to proclaim the Gospel as if he was “doing it unto the Lord.” He was to share his story. We today are called to share our stories, to help bring others to the saving grace of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be there, ready to give an account of the saving grace we are given “whether the time is favorable or not”. We are to shod our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We are to standby…be ready…be on hand…for opportunities and crises as they arise, whether the time is opportune for us or not.

The Bible tells us that we are to “convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the upmost patience in teaching.” We are to put on the likeness of Christ and be as gentle and kind as He was in our rebuke on others. We are to “do it as unto the Lord.” We are to be display patience and kindness to all those around us. I know that there are times that this is a difficult thing to do. We live in a fallen world and there is so many things that are wrong around us but by acting as the world would have us act…are we really sharing God’s love…are we really showing the love of Christ? Or are we turning others away from the way, the truth and the light…the one true light that shines in the darkness? We are to “do it unto the Lord” in love. Rebuke…warn, encourage…comfort, should all be aspects of the teaching and all will require RESILIENT “PATIENCE”.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul tells Timothy that the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine and that they will turn to teachers that suit their own desires. That people will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away after myths. Paul also challenges Timothy to always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of and evangelist, and to carry out his ministry. Timothy is to carry out his ministry with zeal in the world and to “do it as unto the Lord” not as unto the people in the world around him.

Paul contrasts two images in vs. 13-15. The first image is at wicked people and imposters, who go from bad to worse; the second image is of Timothy, who continues to grow in keeping the good start he received, becoming mature. I would like for you to imagine with me for a moment two pieces of fruit…one that has a rotten spot that is getting even worse…and the other that is wholesome, firm and just beginning to ripen. This is how Paul saw the people of that day and age…it also holds true for people of our day and age (This goes to prove the old saying “history repeats itself”).

We need to take stock in our lives. We need to ask the questions to ourselves “What is there in our spiritual life that resemble the rotten fruit and what resembles the good, wholesome fruit…if we have a rotten part, how can we keep it from spreading…what will keep us growing toward full maturity.” WE need to ask God for whatever help we to prevent…to stop… rot and encourage growth.

How can we have a heart to do whatever God calls us to do as unto the Lord? How can we make the changes we need in life to be in an effective ambassador of Christ’s love for all? David…in Psalm 119…gives us a good example on how to attain the tools we need to become all that God would have us be…David loved the Lords word. As a matter of fact he meditated on it day and night. He knew that the Lord’s commandments made him wiser than his enemies because it is always true. He was also made wiser than his teachers because the Lord’s decrees were his meditation. David would hold back his feet from evil in order to keep the Lord’s word. It was important to him to follow God’s ways and not the ways of the society around him. David did not turn away from the Lord’s ordinances because the Lord taught him. He felt that the Lord’s word was “sweeter than honey”. Through the Lord’s precepts, he got his understanding and hated every false way.

Meditation…it is a word that is used in many ways. A person may meditate in silence…meditate on a new idea…or even meditate on what to eat at a favorite restaurant. But here…the psalmist describes meditation as bringing scripture into the heart. David states that “it is always with me.” We need to learn to keep scripture always with us. We need to read and live out God’s word and plan for our lives. We need to take time for the Lord each day. This is one way we can receive the instruction we need to live our lives “as unto the Lord”…to be His ambassadors of peace, love and joy.

We have choices in life. We can either choose to live our lives as unto the world…with all its brokenness and strife…just going along to get along. We can wallow in our differences instead of seeking peace…a common ground. Or…we can live our lives as if “doing it unto the Lord”…reaching out to those around us in love and helping them either get on or stay on the right track in life. We can either be like the fruit with rot or the good wholesome fruit. The choice is ours to make. Which will you choose?

AMEN

To the Laborers Told

Wake the neighbors, tell the children;
tell all the people, or so you would expect
for this special, singular news
The birth of the Messiah, that night
in the Town of Bethlehem,
told instead to the laborers
in the field, working the third shift
the overnight laborers, watching over
their flocks by night
He who would be the Good Shepherd,
the heir of David, the shepherd make King
Revealed to shepherds in the field

November 4, 2007
Luke 2:8-20

The Birth Announcement

There is was, out of the mouths of angels
the announcement, the birth
of the Savior, the Lord, born on Earth
They were the ones, to hear the news
the firsts to learn of the blessing
the gift to all, the Messiah come
Revealed, the scripture fulfilled
known to the shepherds,
working in the fields

November 4, 2007
Luke 2:8-20

That Smile

There it was, once again
melting my heart,
a puddle of goo,
no longer thinking of the day ahead
Shy, sly, sneak up on you smile
from down in her chest
forcing it through, into her cheeks,
her lips, her whole face
iridescent and shattering
the troubles, the stress
of the moment, gone’
in that instant that smile
reached my heart

November 3, 2007 1:03pm

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 18,700+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Peasant amid the Royalty

A single brown oak leave
perched in the purple chrysanthemums
in the window box outside the back door
A peasant drawing attention, pulling the eye
in contrast to the plum of the flowers
the fading green before the killing frost
A bit of jetsam forestalling the final fall
to the earth, sharing the limelight
with the stars of the show,
snuck on stage, before security comes
and it falls finally to earth
to merge with its compatriots
in a sea of leaves
amid the garden’s flowers

November 1, 2007 2:00pm

Stories

So many stories, many of pain
on the faces, in the eyes,
the furtive eyes, the postures,
the countenance of the people
waiting for their children,
just outside the gate
each weekday, around the corner

Names unknown, other than Mommy,
Daddy, intimate names joyously raised
by daughters, sons, with colorful names
carrying brand-new artwork,
creations to share
See their faces melt, change for a moment
in the joy of a five year old’s gift, their touch

But so many stories,
untold stories, in silence
hidden behind their eyes
their sunken cheeks, huddled bodies
against the cold,
against the demons they carry
here in the center of the city,
the urban melting pot
with stories in languages
we don’t understand
histories beyond our imagination,
our dread, if we only knew the stories
behind those eyes

November 1, 2007 1:50pm


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 18,700+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Babushka

She was walking on the sidewalk
just around the corner from home,
from her place here is the city
so much a woman of her place
her piece of history, in the old country
She was of that greatest generation
if that is what they call it in Budapest,
or Warsaw, or Moskva.
Scarf pulled tight against the familiar wind
apron tied, over the heavy dress
head down, watching her steps
thick sturdy shoes, a shuffling gait
an old worn coat
Living in the neighborhood
within the bubble of family and language

November 1, 2007 1:17pm
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/11/babushka.html

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 33,570+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Black Velour

He sat quietly, patiently it seemed
wrapped in black velour
new purchase, or at least well maintained
Sitting, up on the box from his shopping
A sweat suit that never saw exercise
velour beret perched on his brow
covering his thinning hair
Waiting on the grassy margin
of the parking lot
What was he waiting for,
where was he going
wrapped in black velour
against the November cold

November 1, 2007 1:09pm

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 18,700+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shafts of Light

Faint shafts of light
falling down from the grey, milky sky
ribbons of a lighter grey, almost white
cutting through the pillowed clouds
layered batting, rolled and piled
feathers of light, pushing downward
gravity heavy, straight lines
overlaying the rounded shapes
through which they slice
Falling to earth,
I know not where
shafts of light,
cutting the air

November 1, 2007 1:01pm

Faded Glory

Flapping in the cold wind
the grey skies, the feel of winter so soon
the flagpole out of the small house
held tightly against the blast
a flag of our country
snapping, tattered edges
faded threads, lines in the stitching
almost translucent now
How long has it been a sentinel
stood on watch, to honor
to remind, to remember
snapping tight in the wind
waving at attention

November 1, 2007 12:57pm

The Wind out my Window

The oak tree’s leaves
didn’t stand a chance
under the glowering gray sky today
they were more than just rustling
though they did seem to get
temporary reprieves
off and on
The noise of the computer, the fish tank
the sounds of the house
hid the sound of the wind
beyond the window pane
but the wind made its presence known
just out there, in the dance of the oak
the push on the leaves
fighting a losing battle
to hold on to summer
ever as they had already
gone fall brown and yellow

November 1, 2007 11:57am

By Our Deeds

The Spirit, inscribed on our hearts
finds shape, manifested, given life
by our deeds. We become
in those moments of love
God incarnate, living echoes
of the Son, the Word made flesh
emissaries of His service, His mission
Ministers to the last, the least, the lost
wherever they encounter our hands to the cross
our feet on the road, the Way, walking with Him
We live out our purpose, our path
when the words written on our hearts
live through our deeds

November 1, 2007 11:23am
2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tethered Dancer

Her pirouette
caught, held captive
spinning around the invisible cord
her arms akimbo,
bent up to her chin
her leg, toes pointed
to the ground
tethered dancer,
blowing in the breeze
watched for a moment
by this adoring fan
seeing you from down below
watching your dance
in place

November 1, 2007 11:16am
based on the swamp maple leaf I saw caught
in a spider’s web at the back of Beech Street School
this morning, while dropping off Shyanne

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 31,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Incarnate

No merely the baby,
every offspring, every child
with the Spirit within us
God incarnate
through our actions,
not our first birth
showing God’s love
through our hands, our feet
His word written on our hearts
worked out in our lives
shared with all

November 1, 2007 7:53am
2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Incarnation

The child in the manger,
the baby in the mother’s arms,
the saints all around us
each a member of the family
a bit of God here with us
in the ancient story
in the living of our days
we are blessed, graced
by the incarnate God
walking with us

November 1, 2007 7:50am
2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Dress up Pumpkins

pumpkins in polar fleece, watching television, courtesy of Shyanne, 10/31/07

exploding neural pathways

random connection to long forgotten facts
scraps of thoughts deep within my consciousness
triggered by a word, a conversation,
music, talk on the radio,
the gust of wind this morning on the walk to school
with the girls, the whiff of smoke of a fall fire
in the fireplace, the smell of coffee, of food baking
the feel of a bit of bark, of the wet grounds in the trash
each a means of exploding neural pathways
of sudden burst of thought, or energy
weaving together that which was hidden deep down
with the instant now, the unique moment in the present
tying something in my unconscious, to long ago
to see the relationship of something today
with some deeper meaning, awareness
grasp of thought

October 29, 2007 1:17pm
I came across the text string “exploding neural pathways”
randomly via Google at the site:
http://toomuchinformationplease.blogspot.com/
(Too Much Information !!*@!: Yes).
The poem above came from my own thoughts on that phrase

Author of Heaven and Earth

Not merely Creator, if that makes sense,
because a creator makes something,
often from other parts, pieces,
puts things together in new and creative ways
No, He is the Author of Heaven and Earth,
making it out of nothingness, out of His mind’s eye
out of His word, His hands, His heart, His love
the world, the heavens, the earth,
and all in, on and above it
came into existence,
as an author conjures characters
on the printed pages
out of nothingness,
created new and whole
So is God, the author of heaven and earth

October 29, 2007 12:01pm

Their Eyes Opened

In the same sharing
of the bread,
His blessing, His breaking
of the bread, an epiphany
a revelation that they were
in the presence of, were eating with
the risen Lord
on the day of His rising.
With awareness, He left tem
in an instant

October 28, 2007
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

Opening the Scriptures

The risen Lord, walking with them
opening the scriptures, explaining them
clearing the mysteries, the true meaning
the fulfillment, His story foretold, the prophets,
the law made flesh, the tablets
the commandments lived out
by a righteous man,
a humbled servant, a shepherd
made the sacrificial lamb
the Passover meal,
now a breaking of His body
the shedding of His blood
All of the ancient texts, the prophets
interpreted, made clear
to cause hearts to burn
with awareness

October 28, 2007
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

Feed My Sheep

Follow me, and feed my sheep
the Master to the Rock
a sheep made a shepherd, the seed planted
to germinate within him
until the seed began to bear fruit
after the flames ignited his fire
gave him voice that Pentecost
after the cloistering, the separation
of the apostles, the first on the way
These were the words, affirming in threes,
just as was his denial, that night after the garden
when the twelve followers, ran
fell away from the Master
These were the words,
the admonition and response
follow me, feed my sheep
Yes Lord, I will

October 28, 2007 7:18pm
John 21:1-22
&
Acts 2:1-11

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 27,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Freedom to Choose

Unique to man, alone in the animal world
the freedom to choose, to make your own path
to set priorities, to chart what is important
where your time is, there is your heart
where your treasure lies, what holds claim
consciously chosen, or by default
what energizes you,
motivates, gives you purpose
centers and grounds
choosing your course

October 27, 2007

Chasing Emily

When I started, a little more than a year ago,
I had no idea, no thought, that I would be chasing Emily
hurtling inexplicably to the place I am now,
having topped her count, her wealth of poems,
her words, my words, the words given to me
reaching a count greater than hers
sitting with more than the others have
shared on these pages
A strange place indeed, rarified air
for an unpublished poet

October 28, 2007 4:12pm
on reaching my 1,780th poem, and passing
Emily Dickinson as the poet with the most poems
on www.famouspoetsandpoems.com.
When my name was added to their list
on June 25, 2006, I had 527 poems.

Gaining Joy

In the communion,
the sharing in the chapel
giving our confession to God,
our sin revealed, out loud
confessing to God
and, in so doing,
feeling real forgiveness
of God and ourselves
The magnitude of the gift
the shedding of His blood,
the breaking of His body
revealed again
Gaining joy in the sharing,
in the humble sharing
the bread and the wine
gaining joy in our salvation
our thanks
before God

October 27, 2007 4:52pm
Walk to Emmaus

Into the Chapel

A bit of quiet time
me and God, away from the others
spending time, listening mostly
amidst the prayers and thoughts
swirling in my mind
Slowing down and communing
with the Lord, to hear His voice
and His call to me
in the chapel

October 27, 2007 4:30pm
Walk to Emmaus

A Seriously Wet Saturday

Shy and Shane sat watching the rain
a duck waddled by our window pane
There was no sun, not anywhere
The fan and the rain,
called us in time with each other
Thick heavy drops fell on the oak leaves
bringing them spiraling down
the wet splash of the cars in the alley
a staccato of swirling leaves,
in the damp, saturated air
drawing and coloring to pass the time
to while away the hours
a wet blanket covered the day
on a seriously wet Saturday

October 27, 2007 4:26pm

Hearts Burning

On the walk, that ancient road,
walking with our savior,
I felt the same, as Cleopas and his companion,
hearing His voice, in the words of my brothers,
feeling the same burning of my heart,
as I felt His presence, His nearness to me
on the beginnings of this journey
the journey of faith,
walking closer to Him
from now on

October 27, 2007 4:21pm
Walk to Emmaus
‘They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"’ Luke 24:32

Pastoral Spiritual Formation

A deepening understanding, breathing in the word
lesson by lesson, example by example, in parable
and in service. Showing all of the law, all of the prophets,
the writings, through himself. Giving them reason,
to believe in miracles, in His holiness
Giving them words, teachings, interpretations
to guide their ministry, to embolden their work
to lift them up, and change their lives
over the long haul of seminary, the three years
when He walked with them, healed the sick,
toppled the scales, and unraveled the mysteries
Showing God’s love in the law, and the truth
of the prophets, for those who would see
and those who would hear
being His sheep, and members of His flock

October 27, 2007 2:22pm
a seminary class for the first 12

Humbling Himself

His head to the floor, his heart begging
for forgiveness, fully aware of his sin,
his need for God, because
he could not make himself holy
Of that much he was sure
his prayer was in abject supplication,
falling before God
Praying for mercy,
as he was a sinner
So must we pray,
knowing we too
need His grace
as we are sinners too

October 27, 2007 2:11pm
Luke 18:9-14

Humble Before the Lord

He bowed, weighed down by his breach
his sin, before God, bowing low
begging the creator, for forgiveness
of his sin, to be made clean
himself a sacrifice, humbly bowing
before the Lord. A lesson of the people
in the depth of his pain, in knowing
the distance from God,
his need for the Father’s loving grace

October 27, 2007 2:06pm
Luke 18:9-14

Naked Before God

We stand, we all stand,
naked before God,
exposed as surely as they were
in the Garden, after the fall
standing before God, in our imperfection,
every blemish seen, every sin known
Our hope, our need, for forgiving grace
equal before God, because sin is sin
and the breach is equal
His failing was in seeing a difference
in his atoning through rituals
without appropriate reverence
and bowing humbly before God

October 27, 2007 2:02pm
Luke 18:9-14

Like Job

Like Job he stood, a man without blemish
by the rules of the law, the law of the people
doing what was asked of him, to stand righteous
righteous before God
But he missed the point, the reason for the submission
the acts of piety, a pious life
made so by the spirit within
by the love he shared, poured out
to God and man;
For he judged others
and their walk,
when he was like Job
and needed to remember
his need for grace too

October 27, 2007 1:56pm
Luke 18:9-14

Through the Motions

Tithing, fasting, praying in the temple
so were the steps of the sinner
before the altar, the throne of God;
but he failed to see his sin,
the failings of his walk,
going through the motions
of the law before God
finding himself better
more worthy,
than his fellow sinner
each unworthy of God’s grace
by his deeds

October 27, 2007 1:52pm
Luke 18:9-14

Naked in a Glass House

His false piety, summed up in his certainty
of his own standing, earning a ticket to joy
judging others in the temple, in the courts
by the letter of the law, a righteous man
by going through the motions
stepping the steps of the saints
missing the point in the acts themselves
forgetting the distance between man
and God, forgetting the history
of the people, the lessons of Job
the teachings of the master
walking around naked in the glass house
exposed as surely as Adam and Eve
after tasting the apple
but he was unaware,
blinded by the steps
taken for show
not for God’s glory

October 27, 2007 1:37pm
Luke 18:9-14

He is Risen

Like Elijah, so was His rising
He was risen from the dead
the man who was Jesus,
the teacher to the apostles,
He was risen indeed
ascending into heaven
the person of Jesus,
the first born of the new creation
living with the Father in heaven
watching over us
who still live on earth

October 27, 2007 1:31
Part of the Apostle’s Creed

Like Saul

A righteous man,
or so he thought he was
doing the work of the law,
the steps he was told to take
written in the black and white,
the language, in clear terms, unambiguous
but in the sterile words, missing the
main point, all along, the love
the love was missing from
the prayers, from the giving
from his walk
He was acting
as he should
not out of love
and fear,
of God

October 27, 2007 1:24pm
Luke 18:9-14

Bringing the House Down

The house he dwelled in
a house of cards, of glass
Picking up the rock,
and bringing the house down
crashing down, around himself
standing amid the shards
of his perfect life
blind to the truths
in the word he thought he knew
oh so well

October 27, 2007 9:59am
Luke 18:9-14

For One of the Least of These

Moments of kindness, of charity,
sometimes within really thinking
for these will we stand before God
of so is the message the Lord gave the disciples
for it wasn’t the big things, it was the small,
the moments of grace
they would bestow on the last, the lost,
the least of those
with whom they came in contact
that was the measure of their love,
their walking in grace
We are not saved, justified by our acts
but so will the measure of our life be
the truth of who we are
what we believe

October 27, 2007 9:54am
Matthew 25:31-40

Being a Sheep

In a world of free will,
of choices we can make
make me a sheep, bending
to Your will, not my own
hearing, knowing Your voice
doing what You would call me for
being a sheep in Your flock
walking in the way
so I am close by
when You call

October 27, 2007 9:47
Matthew 25:31-40

A Precious Little Baby

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea,
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary,
his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there,
the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to
her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger, because
there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

A Precious Little Baby

All of us, in the communion of the saints,
the believers, those who follow the Way,
like the shepherds, visitors from the East
bow down to that precious little baby,
the king lay down in the manger bed
The boy, born of the virgin,
given life by the Spirit,
God within Him
Humbly we bow
sinners unworthy
of your loving grace
at your throne, your bed
Lamb of God, who shed His blood


Raymond A. Foss
October 27, 2007

On the Road to Emmaus

A week ago, I was on that ancient road
walking with my brothers, with our Brother
hearing His voice, feeling His presence
His Father’s grace, our Father’s grace
the Spirit living in the space we shared
within our tears, our laughter, our witness
sharing the road with us still
beside us on our journey, some just beginning
some farther down the road, but all of us on the same road
sharing in the telling of the story, and its meaning
in this present time, for each of us
walking on the road to Emmaus
with our Savior, and one another

October 26, 2007 5:33pm
Luke 24:13-35

United Methodist History

The saints before us, toiling in the vineyard
out in the pastures, on the rocky mountains,
in the villages and cities, bringing a Wesleyan take
on the Good News to the world,
a quadrilateral, of reason, experience,
Scripture, and tradition
A hope in perfection
a view of grace, cut into three,
as in the Trinity, finding hope in the grace
that is always there, that is ready for us,
that greets us when we commit, when we awake
from our awful slumber, to give us strength,
and means of grace, to grow in our faith
every day of our lives, to be sanctified
once we are justified, by grace alone
Laity and clergy, a system of committees,
the connection, the communion of saints
of working together, growing together
in a united hope, a shared effort, a common cause
to reach those in pain,
those in need, those who are lost

October 26, 2007 6:57am

Pearls in the Heart

A Single pearl
water caught in the heart
of the lupin, a pearl, a cluster of drops
much like a pearl in the ocean,
grown over time,
gathered in the crook,
the heart of the petals
waiting for wonder
in a human’s eye
soon to spill out, down to the earth
to add water to the lupin
so it may grow
but for now a treasure,
a pearl of great value
presented by the fingers, the petals,
offered up
for us to see

October 25, 2007 8:12am

Hebrew Bible

Their Hebrew Bible course,
was from the original source
the text written in His face
spoken from His lips
made flesh in His body,
the path He walked
His journey from the creation
to the birth in Bethlehem,
the learning, growing in the temple
the baptism and the dove
the palm and the cross
healing and saving
giving meaning to parables
with the walk of His life
fulfilling every line, every jot
The Hebrew Bible
was Him

October 24, 2007 8:01pm

The Joy of Sox

Check out - http://joyofsox.blogspot.com/, a Blog of Note, for Red Sox Nation

Becoming Ministers

We are all to be His ministers
a royal priesthood of all the saints
each commissioned to do the Master’s will
to go out into the world
and proclaim the Good News
whether ordained or not,
we each, no better and no worse
have a role to play, a story to share
of God’s love, His grace
which is eternal and unchanging
open for all

October 24, 2007 12:44pm
Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20

Church History

A very different spin on church history
so was that walk that day
a history in the person of the Lord
showing for His companions
the fulfillment of text after text
His life proving the grace, the faith,
the love of the Father for these,
all of his children
A mystery shared, explained,
no longer in parables,
the Word made plain
by the Word made flesh
speaking of his history
Church history
in a one-day singular seminary course

October 24, 2007 12:39pm
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35

Commissioning

Get on with the work
Here is the power, I have given you
Go forth and be my feet
with me inside you, burning strong
Tell the story to all the nations
everyone can receive My Father’s grace
I was given for you

October 24, 2007 12:36
Pentecost as a new pastor’s commissioning,
giving them a church to serve,
after ordination by flame

Final Exams

Let’s see, what were those courses
in our seminary this semester
Oh yeah, they were
Betrayal, abandonment, death,
and resurrection
At the end of three years,
following the Master,
this was the sprint to finals,
moments of confusion, or not feeling worthy
of running away, of waiting at the cross,
fearing after Friday, of hunkering down
only to feel the joy of Sunday
of that first 4th day
out beyond the grave
with the Spirit coming
to give them power
new-born Christians
about to embark on the Way

October 24, 2007 12:32pm

Ordination

Wow! Can you imagine graduation day
just like that! Flames of the Spirit
piercing you, giving you power, authority
Tongues of flames giving tongues to speak
to the people around the world
such an ordination ceremony
was the Pentecost, when the disciples
became the apostles, the teachers,
when the meek gained their mettle
and preachers were born

October 24, 2007 12:29pm

Seminary

He was their seminary
their rigorous, personalize training
more than apprentices,
they were getting the first-person account
of the greatest story ever told
three years of following Jesus
walking with Him, as He lived
fully man and fully divine
More than a rabbi, a teacher,
though he was that
on the job training and walking in the footsteps
beside the foot falls of the savior
seeing Him in action, in love, in certainty
of His mission, His ministry
His servanthood,
even to the cross and the grave
witnesses, participants
disciples, and students
a three year seminary
unlike any other

October 24, 2007 12:26

Studying the Word

The apostles at His feet,
learning from God, directly
Studying with, under Jesus,
while he lived, walked with them
Hearing His message, His story,
woven with the law, the prophets,
the writings of old
Learning the nuance of the ancient law
the words made flesh, speaking to them
uncovering, unraveling the mysteries
if only they could hear them,
only understand,
in more than fleeting moments
the power of His word, spoken to them
They were like students, studying the Word
But they were lucky,
the Word spoke to them
directly, face to face, in person

October 24, 2007 12:21pm

Praying for His Voice

Lord, in my hearing, let me hear His voice
rising up through the words of my brothers
speaking, sharing, testifying to me;
but let it be Your voice oh Lord
let Your truth, Your love warm me, guide me
nurture me in my infancy, help me grow
in You, in their words, let them rekindle in me
the spark of Your grace burning in me
Let me hear your message in the words
given by grace to me ears

October 24, 2007 8:55am

God Breathed

Before Christ lived on the earth
God breathed and the Word was born
the Word of God breathed into life
just as His breath gave us life
Holy scripture, the instruction manual,
the mystery, the history, the teachings
the prophesy, all there created by God
the hand of man merely the amanuensis
the writing hand of that which already existed
when God breathed the Word into being

October 24, 2007
based on the sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
October 21, 2007, Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

Prayers for a Change in My Heart

Over and over, I knelt, fell to my knees,
gave myself to You, Lord
tears pouring from my eyes,
shaking with Your Spirit
immersed in Your love this weekend
walking with other pilgrims, with saints
who had gone before me
walking with You, studying at Your feet
hearing Your words, directed to me
from their mouths, from the Word
in their hands, in their hearts, from their lips
Prayers for a further change in my heart
to let go and believe, to act more fully
to be guided by You, to glorify You
in all that I say, all that I do, all that I am

October 24, 2007 7:26am

Prayers for Our Hearing

Wanting to meet You in the words
shared among us; to meet you on the road
on the pilgrimage we were walking
the journey lighter for the sharing
happy feet, walking the same road
joining those who had gone before
hearing a call, and setting out on the way
following, walking with, Our Savior
on the road, into the future

October 23, 2007 3:25pm

Like a White Hot Coal

You were burning within me
pouring over me, wave after wave
of joy, of repentance, of grace
heaped on me, filling me whole
Oh I am so glad You made us expandable
not rigid, able to be stretched, to grow
yearn for me, to know you better
to experience more of the grace
all around, to drink in Your Word,
the wisdom, the sharing, the communion
walking together on the road
where you led, so long ago
Burning white hot within me
wanting to spread the joy
welling up within me,
to bring more to you,
through the words you give me
wanting to spread the good news
around the world
one poem at a time

October 23, 2007 3:22

Where Is Your Bucket

I remember so clearly,
the woman at the well
challenging the One
with immediate questions,
thinking in the now,
what she wanted, asked for
was ephemeral, fleeting,
would evaporate, literally
He offered more, so much more
but she could not see
no more than the Pharisees, the scribes
those versed in the law
He was new wine, she was an old skin
and all she wanted
was the bucket, the drink
of plain water

October 23, 2007 3:11pm
The Samaritan Woman at the well

Seeing the Invisible

The wind gave an abject lesson this afternoon
of the parables, the means of grace,
all around us, if we but see
the invisible is made known, edified
in the commonplace, all around
We are blessed with tangible reminders
little things that connect us,
to the invisible, the unknowable
that beyond our imagination
because grace is all around
waiting for us to notice
reach out and touch it
bring it into our being
and be changed by the invisible

October 23, 2007 3:01pm

Authentic Prayer - sermon by Ray Foss for Basic Lay Speaker class, September 29, 2007, Warren United Methodist Church

The passage from 1st Timothy 2:1-7, is a rich piece of scripture, because it speaks of the need to pray, so as to be at peace with the world, a holy peace so as to go on to make disciples, as we are all called in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-19, disciples of the one true God, who loved us enough to sacrifice his son.

As Paul himself said in 1 Timothy 1:15, when he was still Saul, he had persecuted the followers of Christ. Now he himself knew the struggle of spreading the Good News throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Like the Attorney in Luke 10:25-37, Paul had tried to live the pious life Jews were called to in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself); but it was only the saving grace of Jesus Christ who gave him the tools to be the Good Neighbor, to bring the balm, the healing of Christ, to the Gentiles.

But what of Timothy the young pastor in Ephesus, the recipient of these instructions, these teachings? We know quite a bit about him, again through the Book of Acts, where we learn of his growing up, the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, Eunice, herself the daughter of Lois, a believer in Christ, a follower of the Risen Lord.

But, what kind of prayer was Paul calling Timothy to, in his personal letter to his protégé? This peace, to allow him to be the servant he was called to be? How can we make the same plea to other followers, perhaps to other followers who, might be newer in their faith than we, just like Timothy was when compared to Paul, the Billy Graham of his time. What can we say to help them know the Good News, and to bring it to others themselves, to remove the clutter?
This was part of the challenge I faced in my Middle High Sunday School class last week. We too had this same lectionary. And, as with Paul, there was a distance between me and the kids in where we are in our faith journeys. Though there are times when they stretch my faith, and show me a trust that many of us adults have lost.

I sat in the circle in the Parlor, thinking, “So what was I going to tell them about this letter, the meaning and importance of Paul’s words to Timothy, for us now?”
As Methodists, we believe in the ministry of all believers, the Great Commission; but, do we spend enough time in prayer to be centered and ready to do that work, truly loving our neighbors, even our enemies, as ourselves?

When our church was beginning a strategic planning effort a couple of years ago now, Penny Thurston, a widow of a retired United Methodist pastor, was often asked to lead us in centering prayer. I wrote this poem about one of her prayers.

Spirit

We sat silent in centering prayer
my diaphragm and chest rose and fell
silently, in time with my heart
your word, the one you put in my mind
It was Spirit, Your Holy Spirit
living in the room with us
flickering in the Christ candle before us.
A call for your spirit to act,
guide us, be present in each one
leading us in prayer and action

Do we trust God for everything in our lives? Do we pray for neighbors, for leaders, for others? Or do we merely pray for our own small troubles? Do we even know how to pray, to really pray, as Paul was describing.

Paul reminded Timothy of the context of prayer, the kinds of prayer, the way he should pray, and the state of grace from which he could live his call, in these few words in this 1st letter to Timothy.

I told my Middle High Sunday School class about my first experience with the five-finger prayer, as taught to me by Rolling Ridge Director, Rev. Larry J. Peacock, at Wesley United Methodist Church. It is a simple way of praying, that puts the pieces that Paul was describing in this passage from 1 Timothy 2:1-7.

Our hand, our fingers, give us a wonderful way to remember how to pray as Paul instructed Timothy. Look at your hand, your fingers,

- Praise – the one true God, Creator, Sustainer, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Thanksgiving – for all He has done and is doing in the life of the world, in our lives
- Confession – for where we all have fallen short, individually and as the human race
- Supplication – prayers for others, including the leaders, even your enemies
- Intercession – prayers for yourself, for your needs, to clear the clutter and help you do God’s will, to follow his call.

What would we pray for, how would we take this lesson from Paul, the five fingers of prayer, consistent with Paul’s call to a prayer that leads to peace? What would the children say, those young and growing in their faith?

How can we as Christians be mentors and examples to those, like my middle high school class?

What are the authentic prayers of the children? Listen to the wisdom, the truth, the faith in their words. Like Paul, we want them to succeed in their journey. We want them to make disciples, as we must. Listen to the words of prayer of the children. Listen to their authentic words.

Caleb Hawkins
“We give you thanks, O God:
for friends that help me
for food that tastes good
for a good, fun family
for a house to live in
for Education
for My health and fitness
God be near and help us:
for my focus at school
for my family’s problems
for my injuries and sickness
for my friend’s mom and her cancer
for my friends and whatever they’re needing
Amen”

--

Dear God,

I thank you for my guinea pig, my dog, and my hermit crabs.
I thank you for my friends and family
I give you thanks for horses
And all the wild animals
And all the domestic animals

I Am sorry for all the paper and plastic and
aluminum that I throw away instead of
recycling it. I am sorry for the water I’ve wasted
and the pollution I have caused. I know it is
important to preserve your Earth because it is a
gift to us.

Help people realize that slaughtering horses for pet
food is cruel, and protect them from the trouble they
get themselves into. Help them understand that
animals are a gift and they should be kind to them
Also help them to understand that Earth is a
gift from You as well and they shouldn’t trash such
a precious gift.

And please, help me to achieve good grades in
school and high marks on my tests and quizzes
Finally, keep my pets, family, and friends safe and
healthy. Peace Out. Amen.

Jessa Fogel
---
Dear God,

Thank you God for coming down to earth
and saving us. Thank you for friends and family
who love me and support me. Thank you for
food and shelter that my parents provide for me.
God, we give you great thanks. For life and happiness,
we give you thanks o’ God. Thank you for baby
back ribs that come right off the grill. And most
of all, thank you for you. In your name I pray,
Amen
--


I am thankful for all that you have
done for me. I am sorry about
your family loss and I am sad about
it too. My Gia Gia (gramma in Greek)
was very close to me and she must
be with you. I really miss her So please
take good care of here. Thank you for
my family, friends, my sisters, my dads,
my mom, and my friends.
Love,
from your servant
Erica

--
A Prayer from Timothy

Holy God,
Creator and sustainer
of the earth, I offer this prayer
for myself and the world.

I thank you Lord, for my family,
for this beautiful Sunday, for this church
and church family, for the changing seasons
this season of fall, and especially for your presence.

Lord, I confess that I have fallen short of your grace,
that I have not communicated with my family,
that I have struggled in my work and I have not
put my whole trust in you.

I pray for this torn world, where strife and poverty
are too common, where one in seven Americans
are without health insurance, and where
too many know war and disease.

Lord, I pray for President Bush and the Congress,
may they find a way to end war
I pray also for this church, as we prepare for
a capital campaign and budget,
for the Iraqi government and its people
I ask for your peace for them and for
those who seeks after peace in the Middle East.
I pray Lord too, for the world, for global warming
and the melting ice caps. May we come to grips
with these challenges before it is too late.

Lord, I ask for your guidance, your strength
to get more done, to be more available to Ruth,
and to help the girls more.

I ask all these things in Your son’s precious name.
Amen

Okay, so that last one was the prayer I wrote last Sunday morning, when we were all centering, quieting ourselves in prayer, when we were at peace, in God’s house, thinking about ourselves and others, and seeking God’s Peace, His Strength.

What about you? Right now? In this place, this house of God? Remember, we all are to be ministers like Timothy; that is what we as United Methodists believe.
What prayers for peace in the world, for supplication, for intercession, for thanksgiving, and for praise do these words of 1st Timothy call you? What joys or concerns do you need to bring to the Lord this day? What is standing in the way of your getting on with the work you feel God has called you to do, to minister to his flock and to go out and make disciples of all the nations?

AMEN.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Would that each of us
would feel the power, that epiphany
that moment with flames
on that day of Pentecost
But with fire or with water,
the flame burns brightly
deep within
for those who believe,
and put their feet to their faith
and act as they proclaim
serving their neighbor
sharing the good news of grace
to a world in need of grace

October 23, 2007 2:22pm

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 at raymondafoss@gmail.com for usage. See all 29,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Their Hands on the Cross

With eyes on the prize, the gifts
hearts in the right place,
and their hands on the cross
we met the son, our brother,
Jesus walked with us,
spoke to us, encouraged us,
cried and laughed with us
sharing our days in the fellowship
the communion of our faith
in song, in praise, in prayer,
and in living worship
recommitting our lives
to Him, confession and proclaiming
His love in our words
our actions, our tears

October 23, 2007 2:14pm

Intertwined Roots

Like giant redwoods, with interlocked roots
we are held up, against the winds
by the community of faith, our brothers
our sisters, our family of saints
in communion with the saints
we stand up
and can change the world

October 23, 2007 14:09

Means of Grace

We are blind, too often
to the means of grace
the ways God makes himself
visible to us, in the current age
in this slice of earth
we call home
We are blind, to the moments of grace
to those treasures, those jewels
hanging in plain sight
waiting for our joy
for our presence
to see them,
experience
the cornucopia
the means of grace
are all around us

October 23, 2007 14:05

Obstacles to Grace

Alienation is our separation from God and Man
Loving ourselves more than God
Ignoring God’s call for our lives
Envy, or pride, or falsehood
Neglecting our relationship with God
Addiction or abuse of any kind
Treating others as we would never wish to be treated
Idolizing anything but God
Obsession with material things
Not being able to forgive ourselves or others
Alienation

October 20, 2007
Walk to Emmaus

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 25,340+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sin

Separated from
I Am and our
Neighbor

October 20, 2007

Learning for Life

We grow or die, in our faith, in life
we learn and grow, through study
But there is no magic cure, no shortcut
Growth comes from beginning
Committing ourselves to the work
to scripture, Your story,
the story of the saints, fellowship
and the sharing with others
Overcoming doubts, fears, excuses
liberates, nurtures, feeds us
prepares us for the work
we are call to, in love

October 20, 2007

Grace Abounds

Grace abounds
in the stars that shine
in the touch of a baby’s hand
throughout our world
and in the life of faith
We see God and
feel His grace
all around
in the water and the wine
in the blood and the Bible
all around
grace abounds

October 20, 2007

Open Your Eyes

Open your eyes and look around
for in everything and everywhere
grace abounds, in the natural world
within the community of faith
in the love of God
God sets out the means of grace
so we might see
in the sky, the life around us
touching our senses
the hand of God in the natural world
in acts of sacraments and moments
of sharing, of doing God’s will
Grace abounds, if we will but see

October 20, 2007

Will You Let Him In

He is waiting, patiently
at the door of your heart
He as knocked, once again
Will you let Him in,
accepting God into your life
fostering a relationship
Our loving creator,
our savior, stands
at the doorway of your heart
Let Him in

October 19, 2007
from Prevenient Grace to Justifying Grace

Piety

Pray to our God
Inquire on the truth in His Word
Every day meditate on your life with God
Take time to worship in your church
Yearn to commune and grow in Christ

October 19, 2007

When He Knocks

When He knocks,
when you hear his voice
on the outside of the door
the outside of your life, your heart
Open the door
accept His love, His hope
for you, for your heart
Justify yourself
in the response
to the unmerited love of God

October 19, 2007

Open Your Heart

Open your heart
to the calling of God
listen for His call to you
still yourself, from the noise of today
open your heart
for a change in your life
to see the world anew
Open your heart
accept His gift of grace
transforming grace freely given
a precious gift of love

October 19, 2007

A Recipe for a Life of Piety*

An epiphany of awareness
an overflowing desire to know You
will to bear fruit worthy of Your grace
direction to stay focused on Christ
a heart of naturalness, being yourself
a modicum of courage to get out of the boat
and an ample helping of joy
to share with the world

October 19, 2007
*Quantities will vary

Opening the Door

It is a moment, an instant
of grace, transforming us
in that very second
when we accept the offer
the free gift
and open the door
Let the gift of God
the saving gift of love
pour into your heart
full to overflowing
Allowing Christ to enter in
into your beating heart
And, by so doing we
enter into the body
of our brother, the Christ
into the House of God

October 19, 2007

Accepting God

Justified not by works.
So is the basis of our creed.
Only by accepting God, his agape love,
are we justified
Changed in a twinkling, as if
crossing an invisible line.
Called to a different life
we respond to that gift

October 19, 2007

God’s Hands, Your Feet

God’s hands are your hands
your feet are His feet
In this time and place,
the infinite is made real,
through us, through what we do
God’s love manifested in us
His love in our love
We are the body
His fiber and sinew.

October 19, 2007

Living Stones

Odd and misshapen
living stones, joined together
building the foundation, the walls,
of Your temple, Your holy church
We are each, as we are, the bricks,
the stones, the body
the living body of Christ
Living stones working out
our own walks with God
after accepting His invitation
to walk with Him

October 19, 2007
1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10

Because the Father Cried

It was in His tears, the tears
of the loving father
that he was saved,
in the pain he caused the father
that he was forever changed.
Moving forever from his former life
to a different existence
a new being
because of the father’s love
Never the same again.

October 19, 2007
story of a boy who never stole again
because of the pain it caused his father
and the message for us of the loving God
who weeps when we are away from Him
because of our sin

A Bridge to God

Christ is the bridge to God
through His sacrifice
the chasm is spanned
the breach sealed for all time
A way is made clear
we walk that bridge
joining our lives with those
who have made that walk before us
May we then, be a means,
a bridge, for our neighbors

October 19, 2007

Royal Priests

Step on up, each one of you
you, yes you, are called, invited
to be transformed and to be
an instrument of transformation
to accept the gift of grace
to be a conduit of that grace
To say yes, a heart-felt yes
to let God in
so God may shine
through you too

October 19, 2007

Coming up Beside Me

Joy walked with me
on this dusty road,
walking with my brothers
we walked with Him
with our brother Jesus
living with us in community
being His disciples, in that space together
a cloistered community
living, praying, studying at His feet
Listening to Jesus, speaking to us all
through our brothers, our sister
sharing a piece of Him
over and over; like Mary,
we had to sit at His feet,
anoint them with oil, with nard
to stop the world’s pressures,
day to day concerns
spend time with our Savior
walking that road
with Him

October 22, 2007 9:33pm

Being a Priest

By actions more than words
we live out the blessings
the title we are given
All of us are heirs,
all members of the royal priesthood
By our service, our care
our love for our neighbors
we live our faith
By these we become
His hands, His feet
His body in our time

October 19, 2007

A Heart-Shaped Hole

For each of us there is
a specific, a singular
heart-shaped hole in our lives
A hole which only He can fill
when we try, we fail
nothing else, no matter how hard we try
No, nothing else will do
We need God, only God
to be whole

October 19, 2007

Open the Gift

Brightly colored,
beautifully wrapped
it sits waiting for us
A gift beyond measure
given long ago
for each and every soul
long before our birth
sitting in plain sight
Reach out, shake it,
it cannot be broken.
Open the gift, just say yes
Open the gift
its wonders to behold

October 19, 2007

A Tractor Beam

Pursuing, pulling, calling us
the offer of God’s love
of His gift of saving grace
His love wanting to reach us
To bring us back to Him
into a loving, lasting relationship
to walk once more with God
And feel His peace, His love
in our lives, every day

October 19, 2007

Grace Offered Before We Ask

A free gift, without our asking
pursuing us, in big and little ways
reminding us, calling to us
trying eternally, to draw us home
into relationship with Him
to walk, commune, with Him
through our risen Lord, Jesus Christ
and the Spirit ever present

October 19 and October 22, 2007

Shades of Grace

A triune image,
shades of Your beautiful grace
Waiting available to me,
meeting me where I am, when I am ready
growing in me
when I submit to Your will
Dimensions of the one Grace
of the one God
Father, Son and
Holy Spirit
Working in me

October 19, 2007