Close the skies over #Moscow #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

The air is unsafe for civilians
mixed use airfields, terror...
Raining war on Ukraine,
strike after strike...
 
Shut the skies over Russia,
ground their aviation...
Silence the jet engines,
for the war has come home...
 
Drones and missiles flying
over the land of Russia...
Nowhere is safe for them
from Ukraine’s air defense...
 
Swarming toward the archers,
The airfields used for terror...
Close the skies over Moscow
and old St. Petersburg...
 
The war has turned eastward
to the seat of power...
Ground the planes of Russia,
chaos is their reward...
 
---------------
September 2, 2026
Close the skies over Moscow
 
Based on announcements on September 1, 2026, by President Zelenskyy, warning
of drone and missile activities inside Russia near airports
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcwOEwRI2fl/
September 1, 2026
Shut the skies over Russia
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/shut-skies-over-russia.html
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-long-night-ahead-v4.html
Constant attacks on Kyiv, on far too many cities in Ukraine
Posted September 2, 2026
Edited August 24, 2025
constant bombardment – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/constant-bombardment-v2.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, poem, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, drones, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles, airports
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

Shut the #skies over #Russia #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

Shut the skies over Russia,
ground their aviation...
Silence the jet engines,
for the war has come home...
 
Drones and missiles flying
over the land of Russia...
Nowhere is safe for them
from Ukraine’s air defense...
 
Swarming toward the archers,
The airfields used for terror...
Close the skies over Moscow
and old St. Petersburg...
 
The war has turned eastward
to the seat of power...
Ground the planes of Russia,
Chaos is their reward...
 
---------------
September 1, 2026
Shut the skies over Russia
 
Based on announcements on September 1, 2026, by President Zelenskyy, warning
of drone and missile activities inside Russia near airports
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcwOEwRI2fl/
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-long-night-ahead-v4.html
Constant attacks on Kyiv, on far too many cities in Ukraine
Posted September 2, 2026
Edited August 24, 2025
constant bombardment – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/constant-bombardment-v2.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, poem, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, drones, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles, airports
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

constant bombardment – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #StandWithUkraine

They live under constant bombardment
daily attacks without ceasing
endless terror, genocide,
so many innocent civilians
murdered in their beds…
 
They face relentless bombings in their cities
Shahed drones, bombs, and missiles
in the night, the daylight, coming,
no rest for the weary, the people,
Russia’s constant attacks…
 
They are still waiting for partners
for the Willing to act,
to Stand With Ukraine
in their valiant fight…
 
They alone have carried
the banner of freedom
the rules-based order
this moment, this test…
 
We must share the responsibility
because Russia will not stop
they must be defeated in Ukraine
for peace to come…
 
-----------
Posted September 2, 2026
Edited August 24, 2025
constant bombardment – v2
 
Edited August 14, 2025
Shared Responsibility – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/shared-responsibility-v2.html
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
Ukrainian National Flag Day, Day of the National Flag – August 23, 2025
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2025
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, US, NATO, terror, genocide,
  
#poetry #Ukraine #God #StandWithUkraine

After Taras - Book Reveal #video #book #Shevchenko #AfterTaras #Poetry #Ukraine #TarasShevchenko #BookLaunch #PoetryCommunity #IndieAuthor #BookPromotion #AmWriting #Readers #Literature #Hope #Peace #RaymondFoss #victory #PoetryWhereYouLive #StandWithUkraine

My copies of After Taras came in the mail!! So excited!

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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a long night ahead – v4 #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones

A year ago, this poem title seemed novel
Something I should report on
the escalation of the attacks
were falling on the capital,
the nation was on edge...
 
What was once measured
has become a daily terror
in the night and in the daylight
air raid sirens incessant
pausing only for attacks...
 
Too many attacks, too much,
falling from the news stories,
failing to capture the world’s attention,
so many crimes, crises, trauma,
natural disasters in our consciousness…
 
But Russia’s reign of terror keeps repeating,
another day, a night of aerial attacks,
ballistic missiles with no interceptors...
We must never forget these people,
We must give them what they need…
 
Premeditated murder, mayhem,
the reign of terror unending,
glide bombs, Shaheds and other drones,
the threat of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
A nation in peril, on edge,
the Ukrainian people exhausted...
Words of truth, understatement,
not sleeping in their beds,
A long night ahead…
 
Sleeping in bomb shelters -  
If they have time to run -
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
listening to whistles of the Shaheds,
angry missiles sent to destroy them…
 
a long night ahead,
a phrase too often repeated,
the danger of Russian genocide
nightly terror of Putin
ever present with them…
 
---------------
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
 
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
constant attack on Kyiv, on far too many cities in Ukraine
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, poem, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, drones, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones

#Pray for the #Widows and #children of #Ukraine #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka #OlenaIvanenko #вшануй #Honor #DayofRemembrance #widows

Lord, we pause to remember
on the Day of Remembrance...
our hearts heavy laden
on what has been lost...
The best sons and daughters of Ukraine...
 
But our grief is so much smaller
compared to each defender’s loved ones...
We pray for the widows of Ukraine...
May You comfort their hearts...
 
We honor, we remember
their love, their great sacrifice
standing for their nation
fallen in battle to Glory...
The defenders of Ukraine...
 
We pray for the widows
of Ukraine, of Freedom,
Those who sorrow in memory
in daily honor, for those they love...
 
And we must also remember
the children of the fallen -
Their legacy here with us –
We must lift them up, forever,
in our daily prayers...

In Your holy name, Amen.

‐-------
August 30, 2026
Pray for the Widows of Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/pray-for-widows-of-ukraine.html
August 29, 2026
Ukrainian Day of Remembrance for all those fallen defending Ukraine
Edited 2 June, 2026
Because of all of you – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/because-of-all-of-you-v3.html
Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, Cheka Fest 2.0, чекафест
Edited May 27, 2026
Cheka, One Voice – Version 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/cheka-one-voice-version-2.html
Cheka Fest 2.0, 30/5/26, Lviv
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
“To remember the dead is to appreciate the living.”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025, in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited March 21, 2026
Unity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/unity-v2.html
Edited February 19, 2026
You hold each of them so closely – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v3.html
February 19, 2026
Every. Single. Day.
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/every-single-day.html
Edited February 18, 2026
to remember the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/to-remember-dead-v2.html 
Edited December 1, 2025
Sacred Days – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/sacred-days-v4.html
Edited September 6, 2024
Flying from every flagpole – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole-v2.html
August 27, 2024
The Flag of their Independence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-flag-of-their-independence.html

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com )  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Iryna Tsybukh, Moment of Honor, Minute of Silence, Вшануй, Honor, Day of Remembrance, widows,

#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka #OlenaIvanenko #вшануй #Honor #DayofRemembrance #widows

#Seeking Your #Wise #Counsel #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit #Psalm16

These words are a prayer for another
a brother who is hurting, in sin;
but I pray these words over both of us...
Oh Lord, heal us within...
 
A spirit of death is upon me
I dip my cup into sin...
Release me, I pray, O Father,
from this struggle, this pain...
Heal me completely within...
 
Lead me to Your Light,
Your Love in holy scripture...
Guide me out of this darkness
Lord, heal me to live again...
 
Only You are righteous,
the fount from which we drink...
Only Your wise counsel
can heal us completely within...

================
August 29, 2026
Seeking Your Wise Counsel
 
Psalm 16
Topic: Seeking Wise Counsel
Meeting of the Samson Society
North Hills Church
April 5, 2026
Do they see Jesus
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-they-see-jesus.html
Based on John 1:14
Based on John 8:12
Based on John 13:35
Based on John 14:9
Based on John 15
Easter Sunday
April 4, 2026
Do people see His likeness? – 2 (Bodhana)
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-people-see-his-likeness_4.html
Edited April 4, 2026
Do people see His likeness? – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-people-see-his-likeness-v3.html
Based on James 1:17
Based on Genesis 1:27
Based on Romans 11:36
Based on Psalm 16:11
re:generation, Step 2, Believe, Week 2, Day 5, “God of the Bible: His Desire,
His Dilemma, His Pursuit”.
April 7, 2026
I have called on Your name
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/i-have-called-on-your-name.html
Based on Lamentations 3:55-59
Based on 2 Peter 3:9
Based on Isaiah 25:8
re:generation, Step 2, Believe, Appendix C, “Abuse Supplement”.
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, faith, pray, prayer, confession, trust, believe, forgive, change, powerless, admit, Psalm 16,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit #Psalm16

#Woe to all of us – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

Woe to all of us,
who are blind to Christ,
The truth of His life
The truth of His love
His choice to come,
His choice to sacrifice...
 
Woe to all of us,
who have eyes but fail to see
The Messiah, our Savior,
entered time...
He laid down His life,
to save you and me...
 
Woe to all of us,
straying from the path,
blind to our choices,
when we stumble...
Turning our backs on Jesus
going another way...

-------------
Edited August 26, 2026
Woe to all of us – v2

Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Edited August 26, 2026
Tithing their spices – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/tithing-their-spices-v2.html
Matthew 23:23-25
Micah 6:8
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
Edited August 26, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/christ-tore-skin-from-their-flesh-v2.html
Matthew 23:13-15
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

#Tithing their #spices – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

Their hypocrisy exposed
in these harsh words of Jesus
Tithing their spices
but failing to do justice,
Worrying about the trivial
but neglecting mercy,
Failing to be obedient,
to walk humbly with God...
 
Layer on layer of judgment,
the blind leading the blind
to death, to damnation,
False leaders straining out gnats
but consuming camels...
No room any longer for mercy
for these enemies of Jesus
Only condemnation...

-------------
Edited August 26, 2026
Tithing their spices – v2
 
Matthew 23:23-25
Micah 6:8
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
Edited August 26, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/christ-tore-skin-from-their-flesh-v2.html
Matthew 23:13-15
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/woe-to-all-of-us.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness, condemnation,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

#Christ #tore the #skin from their #flesh – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

“You shut the gates of heaven...”
“You do not enter in and
You deny others entry...”
A death sentence for hypocrites
barring others from salvation
through their false teachings
failing to see Christ before them -
Blind to their hypocrisy -
their denying of others....
Holding on to their Law,
but failing humanity...
 
Hear the terror of Jesus...
these words of utter condemnation
judging these false teachers,
leading sheep from the shepherd
to death, to destruction...
Christ tore the skin from their flesh
because he knew their hearts
shattering the lie of their lives
condemning them to death
to eternal damnation
for the choices they made...

-------------
Edited August 26, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh – v2
 
Matthew 23:13-15
Matthew 16:9
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
August 25, 2026
Tithing their spices
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/tithing-their-spices.html
Matthew 23:23-25
Micah 6:8
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/woe-to-all-of-us.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness, condemnation,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

#Tithing their #spices #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation #gnat #camel

Their hypocrisy evident
In these harsh words of Jesus
Tithing their spices
But not doing justice,
Worrying about the trivial
But neglecting mercy,
Failing to be obedient,
To walk humbly with God...
 
Layer on layer of judgment,
The blind leading the blind
To death, to damnation,
False leaders straining tea of gnats
But consuming camels,
no room any longer for mercy
For these enemies of Jesus
Only condemnation...

-------------
August 25, 2026
Tithing their spices
 
Matthew 23:23-25
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
August 25, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/christ-tore-skin-from-their-flesh.html
Matthew 23:13-15
Matthew 16:9
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/woe-to-all-of-us.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness, condemnation,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

#Christ tore the #skin from their #flesh #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

Hear the terror of Jesus...
These words of utter condemnation
Judging these false teachers,
Leading sheep from the shepherd...
Christ tore the skin from their flesh
Shattering the lie of their lives
Condemning them to death
To eternal damnation
For the choices they made...
 
“You do not enter in and
You deny others entry...”
A death sentence for hypocrites
Barring others from salvation
Failing to see Christ before them
Blind to their hypocrisy,
Their denying of others
Holding on to their Law,
But failing humanity...

-------------
August 25, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh
 
Matthew 23:13-15
Matthew 16:9
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/woe-to-all-of-us.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness, condemnation,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

Woe to all of us #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

Woe to all of us,
Who are blind to Christ,
The truth of His life
The truth of His love
His choice to come,
His choice to sacrifice...
 
Woe to all of us,
Who have eyes but fail to see
The Messiah, our Savior,
Entered time,
He laid down His life,
To save you and me...

-------------
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us

Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

#Father, open our #eyes #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

Father, open our eyes,
Give us eyes to see
the truth of our lives...
Transform our hearts
from the inside out...
 
Lay bare every lie
every deception
We tell ourselves...
Share with us
the path to life...
 
Convict us, Lord,
of every lie
with Your Truth...
Lead us, Lord,
in Your way, O God...
 
Amen
 
-------------
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
 
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

Thirty-Five Years of #Life #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

Thirty-five years of life
of Ukraine’s independence,
shaking off chains of empire
the curse of many generations
unwilling to be subjects
to be slaves, serfs,
of their largest neighbor...
Unwilling to submit
to Moskal’s army...
 
Thirty-five years of fight
for full independence
to chart their own course
to stand as a free people
no longer slaves to tyrants
reclaiming what was taken
what was stolen from them
by the Bolsheviks, by the Tsar...
Yet always yearning to be free...
 
Thirty-five years of Moscow’s lie,
of the Soviets and the Tsars before them,
that they were one people
when Ukraine yearns to be free,
they have fought for independence,
they have been starved and deported...
Nothing of this is neighborly,
trying to erase Ukraine,
to make it a vassal state...
 
Thirty-five years of independence,
fighting for autonomy, survival,
twelve years of invasion of war,
of genocide by their neighbor,
of daily attacks by Russia,
Ukraine stands in the breach,
Ukraine is fighting their evil...
Ukraine will not submit,
Ukraine will win its freedom...
 
===================
August 23, 2026
Thirty-Five Years of Life
 
August 23, 2026
The Day of the Ukrainian Flag
August 24, 2026
The Thirty-fifth Ukrainian Independence Day
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation-v2.html
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
June 30, 2022 – Liberation of Snake Island
June 30, 1941 – Act of Restoration of the Ukrainian State
1721 – Muscovy taking the name Russia
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/taras-saw-this-future-v4.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
September 5, 2024
Flying from every flagpole
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole.html
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
August 27, 2024
The Flag of their Independence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-flag-of-their-independence.html
February 25, 2022
In the crucible of terror
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-crucible-of-terror.html
April 11, 2014
Crying for Crimea
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/crying-for-crimea.html
my first poem about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,
just after the formal annexation of Crimea by Russia.
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory, serfdom, prison, Crimea, Snake Island,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland