Saturday, August 16, 2008

Wanakee pictures - 7/30/06






dragonfly 7/30/06 - Cedar Street, Manchester, NH








Monarchs and Marigolds 8/17/06 - Wesley United Methodist Church









More Cicada pictures from 7/28/08








Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Two-Way Tag

The pool filling a bit too slowly
“Let’s play tag, you’re it first!”
so was the solution, for the littlest
Laughing, running, out of her sister’s reach
cackle and dart across the yard
a game for summer
playing two-way tag
running through the clover,
the long, wet grass
in the sun

August 13, 2008

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Really Forgiven

Like God for us,
Joseph’s brothers
really forgiven
someone who could punish
mete out a judgment
A generous heart,
an open hand
welcoming them in
His recognition
the provision of God
His life’s story
for God’s holy purpose
by his faithfulness

August 12, 2008
Genesis 15:1-5

On the Damascus Road

Blind, gaining sight
persecuting, preaching
converted on the Damascus road
in a blaze of light, a voice from above
changing his life,
the story of our faith
forevermore
Spreading the word
justification, grace by faith
dying to the law,
rising with our brother
his life a libation
poured out in love
each one of us beneficiaries
his conversion
on the Damascus road

August 12, 2008
Philippians 3:7-11,
Acts 9:1-9 and
Upper Room August 11, 2008

Christ’s Prayer

After ministering, feeding
their healing, physical, spiritual
He sent away the disciples
climbed the hillside
in solitude to pray
wild, separate holy places
His prayers personal, direct
a loving father, listening
strength flowing from heaven
descending like a dove
calling by the son
as he taught us

August 12, 2008
Matthew 14:22-23

Waiting with Me

We didn’t really talk much
a bit, on the waiting, the drag of time
waiting till you awoke
sitting, present with me, with you
there, once again, for our family
truly grateful for her friendship, love
Glad she was waiting with me.

August 12, 2008
James 5:13-18 and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
“Lessons from a Poke in the Eye”, 8/10/08,
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org/Message81008.dsp
and time when Ruth had surgery and
Reverend Lori Eldredge waited with me

Fully Present to Humanity

Christ, son of God, holy, triune
living God, the Word, living among us
fully present to humanity, attentive to our reality
Fully human, crying in sorrow, showing anger,
fear, frustration, growing tired, needing time apart
in ministry a teacher, a servant, fully human
dealing with the disciples, the scribes, Pharisees
rulers wanting him dead.
With people, in their pain, their darkness,
their doubting, even at his death, his resurrection
His triumph, needing to touch
He was there in all of this, fully present to humanity

August 12, 2008
Philippians & sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
“Lessons from a Poke in the Eye”, 8/10/08,
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org/Message81008.dsp

A Real Conversation

The pastor’s message, his sermon
a real conversation, about real life
his eye surgery the thread of the sermon,
the necklace,
beads along the way, pearls of wisdom
dangling, connected, bits of truth
joy, humor, along life’s journey
some scripture, apostle’s proofs,
leavening the bread, baked to fresh
a bit of himself, of Paul,
of the gospel, a tapestry, a beautiful necklace
a bit of bread, daily bread,
reminding us, in remembrance,
the connection we share, one to another,
and with God

August 12, 2008
sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
“Lessons from a Poke in the Eye”, 8/10/08,
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org/Message81008.dsp

Each One, on Their Own

Each one, on their own,
a prayer before the cereal,
the juice, the berries,
stopping, bowing their heads
Each one in turn
offering a prayer,
calling on grace
before breakfast
No prompting, not a word
no grace said by the adults
in the still waking house
They each thanked God
one, two, three
for the daily bread
and asked God
to use them that day

August 12, 2008
breakfast time before church
August 10, 2008

Monday, August 11, 2008

In Solitary Places

He went away to pray
in solitary places
away from the crowds.
Solitary places to find God
peace, quiet spaces,
especially on the mountainside
Spending time, alone, with the creator
praying to God in solitary places

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-23

Sitting by the Pier

Gulls perched on the pilings
a cormorant coursing low
toward the open sea
a breeze inland from the Atlantic
up on the bay, sitting by the pier
watching the boats, moored at rest,
the people, some busy, some quiet like me
a flotilla of bright kayaks slips silently by
bright blue beyond the glade of masts and rigging
caws of the gulls, the splash of minnows
soaking up the sun
sitting by the pier

August 10, 2008

Not Enough Pastel Plaid

In the shop, a bit too pretty, pristine
I caught a few subtle, furtive,
slightly disdainful glances
supposing, deciding we were not quite worthy
some of the clerks, some of the primped,
prepped customers
Maybe it was our clothes,
our color scheme
not enough pastel plaid,
no alligator or turned-up collar,
not barefoot boat shoes
maybe the natural chaos, children in summer
or maybe the mocha hues of my family.
Whatever, our money was just as green.

August 10, 2008

Doing His Work

A sink of dirty dishes from today,
cluttered counter, a bit
boxes needing to be opened
small, little things, unimportant
for she was getting on with,
doing His work, preaching the Good News
sharing His message in the holy word.

Bible studies in the living room
add another leaf to the table
for another chair, all welcome here
the potluck, the growing fellowship

Move those boxes out of the way
empty a few memories, one at a time
They will get done in time
for she is already busy
doing His work, as he called

August 10, 2008

A Cup of Berries

Hand-picked, small
blackberries
each one fully-ripe,
cool in the take-out coffee cup,
sitting in the dark fridge.

Open and inviting,
calling me to pick,
crimson stain on my fingers
ripe berry past my lips

August fruit, ripe summer fruit
kept from spoiling,
enticing me again

August 10, 2008


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 30,580+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shimmering Silver

Between the roses, the cedars
the field shimmering silver
dew life manna in the desert
covering each blade of grass
green of summer, rich
nourished by rain
obscured beneath the silver
lit up, glowing
a gift of God, of this morning
as the sun’s rays warm the yard;
fleeting color, soon to melt

August 11, 2008
about parsonage back yard
North Kingstown United Methodist Church

A Basket of Summer Fruits

In this sacred place,
this holy ground
a basket of summer fruits
squashes from your garden
fruits of labor, holy work
raised for the pantry, for others
grace to be given away
for those in need
offering food to the hungry,
love to our brothers, our sisters,
out of the bounty
of your abundant garden

August 10, 2008
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
the church garden, fruits for the food pantry

The Bounty of Your Garden

Your garden, ripe with squash, with beans,
soon to bear tomatoes, pumpkins
other summer fruits ready for picking
the bounty of your garden
gathered by loving hands
brought into worship, Sunday
this sacred place, sanctuary
To be shared, with those in need
a ministry, hospitality, serving our neighbors
So we are called, providing them
a glimpse of Christ,
by the work of their hands

August 10, 2008
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
the church garden, fruits for the food pantry

Layered Upon the Cross

Images of his life, stylized
within a circle, stained glass
all placed, layered upon the cross
all of his life, leading, based
remembering his sacrifice,
what he was born to do
all of his life
layered upon the cross

August 11, 2008
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
their stained glass windows in the sanctuary

Performing Miracles

The miracles, performed by Christ;
but more, performed by the disciples,
the bread enough for the multitude
walking on the surface of the sea
healing, speaking in tongues,
going where they would not have gone
sharing his message, commissioned

We are the disciples now,
performing miracles
if we believe enough, radical hospitality
a saving message to share,
when we are willing to go
where the Lord sends us

August 11, 2008
Matthew 13:21
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
Acts 2:1-21
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Fully Committed

I guess you could say,
Peter was fully committed
in those wondrous moments
stepping from a swaying ship
out onto the rolling seas
The master said “come”, and
he went, over the side,
up onto the waters, walking
as if on dry land
fully committed, in relationship
focused on the living Christ
the Messiah, living with him
studying at his feet,
performing miracles with him
being his hands, feeding the multitude
healing as he was taught
long before the flames
steeled his nerves

August 11, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Calling on Our Faith

A righteous life, daily prayer
calling on our faith, as we live, daily
not only in times of adversity, walking with us
our faith living, growing, breathing as we breath
nourished in the giving, in the sharing, the growing
over and over, as we live our lives, able to stretch
to reach out to others, an example, a shining light
our faith enough, to walk on the waters,
to course across the waves,
to reach out our hands to others
needing his love, his hands
Our hands are his hands, our feet
the only feet he has
His voice through our mouths
through the living of our faith
answering his call to come, by going

August 11, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Reach Down

Reach down, lift them up,
your brother, sister sinking
faith needing your hand, my hand
a word of comfort, His message of hope
Love of the father strong enough
to carry us when we fall
A servant-kind, living in us
working in the world through us
Do all you can, all you are called to do
Be the hands, the feet, the fragrance,
the face of Christ to them all.

August 11, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Reach Out Your Hands

Like Christ, reaching to Peter,
reach out your hands
when doubts, winds of struggle,
adversity catches our focus
saps the strength of our faith
Watch for others crying out
be there, for them, when they fall
Be Christ’s hands
lifting them up
out of the deep.

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Noticing the Wind

He was walking safely walking
on the waters, the waves
fear, noticing the wind,
falling, sinking below the waters
Saved, caught by his hand,
lifting him once more
there for him, for all of us
his sacrifice, grace enough
to save the whole world
His hands ready
stilling the winds, the waves
saving us when we call.

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Impetuous Peter

Impetuous Peter, jumping
stepping out of the boat
walking without thinking
going to Jesus across the waves
blindly acting, acting out of his faith
Going because the Master called
We all must change
become like Peter
in that pure, beautiful moment
going when the Master calls
out onto the waters.

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Going to Jesus

Peter, not for praise
not to gain power
An act of faith
climbing out of the boat
going out to Jesus
standing like him on the seas
walking to the Master
uncharted, untrammeled paths
where the Master calls

August 9, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Above the Waves

He stayed above the waves,
above the waters of doubt
while he stayed focused
Christ, on the water himself
Faith enough to venture out,
to believe he could
A moment of pure faith
defying gravity
only falling when he turned away

Saved, above the waves again
when he called out,
felt the hands of God
lifting him up


August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

When I Have been Sinking

You lift me up Lord,
immediately reaching out
your loving hands catching me
when I fall, holding me
close to you, when I cry out
Helping me carry on
when storms, winds,
doubts grip my focus
You pull me up from the depths
letting me stand again
walking with you, by faith

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Reassured

When they were gripped by fear
buffeted, rocked by wind, waves
afraid in the boat
He reassured them all
“I am near; it is me, the one
standing on the waters
coming to you, from the other shore
Do not fear; I am with you.”
So must we remember,
that same assurance today.

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Reach out God’s Hands

As Christ, answering Peter’s cries,
reaching out his hands
lifting him out of the depths
sinking no more
We must reach out God’s hands
our hands to those in need
helping them when they doubt
when life’s troubles
pull them down, away from You;
holding them in God’s arms
sharing His love, for we,
you and I, are God’s hands,
His feet, able to lift them up
so they, like us,
can walk on water

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

They are Our Hands

When a brother, a sister
one of our neighbors
begins to fall, to sink
the hands to reach out,
Christ’s hands now,
they are our hands
Are you there for those
struggling with their faith
doubts because of the winds
swirling around them, the waves
lapping at their feet?
Reach out your hands
lift them up

August 10, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Sinking in the Waters

He stepped out in his faith
walking toward the Lord
Sinking in the waters
at the mercy of the wind
Crying out; saved by the Lord
caught while he doubted
saved from the waves, the deep
pulled from the waters
by the loving hands of God

August 9, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 130:1
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Saved by His Hand

In faith, he started to walk
at the Master’s call to him to come
His faith strong enough
walking out from safety
from logic, reason
out onto the waters

But he turned away,
lost focus on the Lord.

As he began to sink,
crying out for his teacher.

Saved by his hand,
the Lord reaching out to each one still
lifting us up, when doubts
steal our faith,
helping us again
walking by faith, even on water.

August 9, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Caught by His Hand

He was caught
by our savior’s hand
saved when he was sinking
lifted up from the depths,
the deep, by Christ’s hand
bringing him to safety
up onto the buffeted sea
once more able to walk
boldly on the waters
his faith steeled,
by the hand
of our loving brother,
our savior still

August 9, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Immediately He Reached Out

While he was beginning to flounder
sinking through the skin of the waves
crying out to the Master,
“Lord, save me!”

Immediately, he reached out
to catch his hand
save him when he fell,
captured by doubt

Reaching our in an instant
bringing him to the surface

We too, assured of his hand
ready to reach out
and save us when we fall
when our faith is tested
when we lose focus on God

August 9, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008

Lifted Up

Peter, sinking, captured by trouble,
his doubt pulling him under
falling below the waters,
the waves, sinking, darkness

Lifted up, rising, by the outstretched hand
the hand of our Savior
ready for him, immediately
reaching for Peter, for each of us
when our faith trembles
when the wind catches our attention
and we too sink

Our loving God is there,
hands ready to save us

August 9, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33
and sermon, “Reach Out Your Hand”,
by Reverend Lori Eldredge,
North Kingstown United Methodist Church
August 10, 2008