Friday, November 07, 2008

Treasure in Clay Jars

Placed in clay pots,
misshapen, chipped, flawed
God’s love, his grace, his gifts
placed within clay jars, treasure
Transforming us, worthy vessels
to be filled, your spirit within
life-giving water
filled to the rim
Pouring out your message
Treasure in clay jars
not meant to be stored,
called to be shared

November 7, 2008
Jeremiah 18:6
Jeremiah 18:1-10
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
and Upper Room devotional for 11/7/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=7&year=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 29,990+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Breakfast at McDonald's

A real good friend sent me a copy of this in email today. I did a quick search and it appears at least 340 time on the net, probably a bunch more. I saw one from 2001. As far as I know the author is unknown. It is a story worth sharing. I hope it blesses you as it blessed me a few minutes ago. I felt rather than emailing it I would add it here.

---------------

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.

The last class I had to take was Sociology.


The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake,
literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.

It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance..

He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.


As I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.'

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on
The last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS -
NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

An Army of Saints

All the dry bones, those buried in the ground
those whose ashes, their breath
spread to the four winds

An army of saints, waiting
to be raised up, given new life,
a new home with God

Breath, sinews, new bodies in the air
a place, a home with our savior
ready and prepared, waiting

An army of saints, those who have gone before
faithful, raised up, living once more
waiting in heaven for us

November 6, 2008
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Revelations 7:1-17
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
John 6:32-48
1 Corinthians 1:2-9
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

A Christmas Prayer

A Christmas prayer, an Advent prayer,
lifted up to you, oh my Lord
that your spirit would descend on each one of us,
that we would slow our steps, linger in your Sabbath time,
that we would study your birth story, the gift of your coming
the promise of your return, held within the kernel of your birth

Be with us, our savior king, walk with us in the wintertide
as harvest turns to snow, as the ground hardens and night darkens
come to us in whispers, in lights, in the manger bed
speak to us in the angels, the shepherds, the holy warming of the church
the greening of the sanctuary, the candles burning bright

Touch us in the songs of old, in the reading of your word
catch us unawares with the wonder of your coming
the priceless sacrifice becoming flesh
The keeping of the promises long foretold
the words of God heralded by the prophets,
handed down by the people down through the ages

Warm us with your love, father, son and spirit
lead us in paths we do not know
share with us the mystery of you
may we ever be in prayer, seeking you

Amen

Raymond A. Foss, Advent 2008
November 5, 2008
A Christmas Prayer
written as submission for the annual Advent book
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
edited November 15, 2016
A Christmas Prayer – v2


All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 42,310+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A New Day in America


Monday, November 03, 2008

Out of Our Fears, Out of Our Hopes

Tomorrow, Election Day
we are given anew, a chance to decide
to choose our leaders, an opportunity to give voice
to our aspirations, our dreams, our wishes for our land
We can choose, to vote out of our fears, or
to vote out of our hopes.
I choose hope, over my fears
my dreams, over my doubts
my love, over my hate
my similarities, not my differences
my longing for a better world,
not walls around my home

I am voting for Barack Obama


November 3, 2008

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

White, by His Blood

By the blood of the lamb,
red, living blood, washed clean,
our lives transformed,
lives of the saints before,
our forebears in the faith
white, washed clean
by his blood, the blood we share
in remembering him, his sacrifice
in remembering them,
their lives of faith
bearing witness to his love
his message of grace
saving grace from the father
the one who created heaven and earth
for who the blood was spilt
redeeming the world to him
making us all clean,
white by his blood

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3
Revelation 7:9-17 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

White, While Red

Washed, redeemed
shimmering white, while
his blood, red, poured out
for you and for me
saints who have gone before,
washed, redeemed, by his blood
the sacrifice of our savior,
humble lamb, before the slaughter
the gift of your life
the saints before us,
following our savior’s way
lives as examples,
to all generations

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3
Revelation 7:9-17 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Living as a Saint

So many, through the pages of history
living as a saint, following our savior’s example
walking, faithful, on the path they were given
the call to all our lives, persevering,
following our savior’s way,
carrying our cross, our God’s will
the race that lies before us,
ever onward, faithful on our path
in this our time, our piece of the kingdom
living as a saint, as those who have gone before

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Holy Brother

Our father, in heaven, our brother
our holy brother, a saint before us
giving us an example, a humble life
submitting to the father, sharing for the ages
the generations to follow, his message of love
walking on the way, the path he has charted
humbly following our servant king
Being his successor, his messenger, his witness
to the world, in our time, our place
bringing the hope of his coming
the assurance of salvation
to all who will hear
Being strong, confident in our faith
bearing out burdens,
so much smaller than his
when he was pure
and we all have sinned

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Lights on the Altar

Flickering lights, covering the altar
flames remembering those saints
those who have touched our lives
the Christ, our savior, our brother
all the candle glowing brightly
remaining throughout our worship
flames still burning within us
for those raised up, a candle lit,
and for those unspoken,
held in our hearts
all saints who have shaped us
this congregation, our faith
lights on the altar
in remembrance, in love

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Sitting with the Saints

There before, those among us
sitting with the saints
in the sanctuary, this community of faith
being with the saints, on this day of remembrance
intoning their names, filling the altar with their light
the glow of their faithfulness
lighting our morning, our worship
honoring them, remembering them
walking with them, on this our journey of faith
humbly following their path
so we too may be examples, symbols,
echoes of Christ, when our days are past
and the next generation gathers, remembering too
the saints that have gone before, the saints they have known

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Christ Candle First

Higher, first, the Christ candle first
lit and placed on the altar
burning, higher than the rest
the saint, my brother
all the saints after, throughout the ages
pieces of his life, a reflection, an amplifying
sharing his light, his life, his love
touching lives in our journey, in their walk before us
by their faithfulness witnesses, by their deeds examples
like him before them, like Abraham, the grandfather
the patriarchs, all the faithful, down through the pages
remembered in shimmering light
lighting our worship,
glowing, bits of light, of God’s love
warming the sanctuary with flickering faith
a fire in its abundance

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

On the Shoulders of Saints

We, mere infants, sitting
on the shoulders of saints
raised by their strong hands
up above the crowd
so that we can see the parade, the journey
the faithful path we are called to walk
walking initially, always
on the shoulders of the saints
our way made easier by their walk,
their faithfulness, their love of God
in their sharing of Christ’s work
his ministry, his mission
To tell the world of the love of God
to each one of us, flawed as we may be
Just as I am, he calls me, just as I am
he can use me, my meager gifts
To lift up the next generation
up onto our shoulders, in our time

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

God’s Word Alive

The word made flesh
living today
saints who are Christ to us
living expressions of the word of God
his ambassadors, in the flesh
saints who we remember this day,
lights burning on the altar, their names
raised in prayer, held in our heart
God’s word alive, in the hearts of the faithful
living out their lives, as Christ,
being his hands, his feet in the world
bringing his message
to the ends of the earth
imprinting their memory
his love, his saving grace
on generations to come

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Bright Lights of the Saints

The bright light of the saints
glowing on the altar, shimmering,
reverberating, living light
dancing in the murmur,
the little puffs of wind
lights, individually lit,
for the saints we have known
for our king, our brother, the Christ
all sitting on the altar, a gift to our Lord

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Burning Brightly

a sea of candles,
glowing brightly on the simple lace
the linen on the altar
shimmering gold, the shadows,
the candles’ flickering, quivering
burning brightly, during our worship
lit, one by one, in the name of Christ
in the name of one of the saints
who have touched our lives
remembering them with him, our brother
the perfector of our faith
the humble example
of a faithful life
All burning,
centering our service
our worship
our lives
this day

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Hallowed

Hallowed be your name,
our Lord, our God, holy, feared,
awestruck, worthy of respect, of praise
falling at your feet, at your altar
on our knees, humbly
Hallowed be your name,
sing praises through the ages,
share his message, his love
Be his servants, his children
be Christ for the world

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Unspoken Names

Prayers for all the saints
names unspoken for them
candles burning, on the altar,
lights burning within our hearts,
our spirits, their lives still here
within us, calling on their memory
even if their names remain unspoken
indebted to our forebears
starting long before Christ
back to the patriarchs, the saints
all those who faithfully followed God
throughout the ages

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

A Crowd of Witnesses

A crowd of saints, witnesses,
to Christ, to the need for Christ in this world
Sharing his message, his love, his hope
faithfully, from generation on down to generation
living as Christ, being Christ for someone
Leaving a memory, a mark, imprinted on lives
A crowd of witnesses, testifying
to the journey, to the reward
the kingdom here on earth,
the hope for that new Jerusalem
Taking on our yoke, our cross
determined to be Christ,
and fulfill his command

November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Reforming my flawed Vessel

Ever being formed,
reforming my flawed vessel
spinning on the wheel,
the Potter’s fingers working out
my imperfections.
A journey, never ending,
never finished, never dried,
never fired, never glazed;
being shaped, molded, improved
ever changed by the hands of the Potter
working out my salvation
all the days of my life

November 2, 2008
Jeremiah 18:6
Jeremiah 18:1-10

A Bittersweet Cup

The cup, which we share
a cup which he accepted
which he did not want;
asking for it to be taken from him
from his lips,
that he would not have to drink;
but a cup from which he drank
which he shares with us today
A cup of servanthood, of forgiveness
a cup of salvation

November 2, 2008
Communion and
Luke 22:39-42
Suncook United Methodist Church

As a First Listener

Let me hear your words,
your life as a first believer
as if new, never before shared,
sitting at your feet, for those years in ministry
with wonder at your vital, contrarian message
values not of this world,
heavenly, righteous, holy
an insight into the father,
shared by his son
Let me hear your words,
your message for my life
Help me share these words
to the ends of the earth

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Black slippers

Black slippers, white socks
flowers on her dress
long black hair, covering her shoulders
kneeling at your altar,
accepting the bread, the wine
sharing in the communion
remembering our brother, our savior
accepting the elements,
kneeling at your rail

November 2, 2008
Communion
Suncook United Methodist Church
Shanequa

Good Enough

An important lesson, in the words of our prayer
forgiving sins, trespasses, as we forgive
How that prayer, within his prayer,
the prayer he shared
How we must forgive ourselves,
for our sins, for our lives
that where we are is good enough
that happiness, balance, faithfulness
these are good enough, we are worthy
worthy of the saving grace of Christ
of the love of our heavenly father,
hallowing his holy name, with our lives

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Forgiving My Sins

As part of life, part of healing,
of the measure of the prayer
being forgiven, as we ourselves forgive
One of those who must be forgiven
whose past must be left behind
each one of us, forgiving our own
our sins, those of which
we have repented
part of our prayer too
part of its meaning
that God forgives us
and so must we

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Self-Made Men, Alone

So alone, if we ever really believe ourselves
to be self-made men, outside of history,
outside of the community of faith,
no saints to praise, to remember
as if we were islands, able to exist
seemingly as if we were the big bang,
the creation, coming
into being without assistance
How much happier, comforted
knowing the savior, the saints gone before
living as part of a larger whole, the body
worshipping, sharing the cup, remembrance
of the long line that journeyed this road before

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

First Person Prayer

I wonder, if I read the ancient words,
his words of prayer, of instruction
How we are to pray
this prayer that he taught us
If I were to replace “Our Father”,
with “My Father”, if I were to speak
“Give me this day, my daily bread”,
if I were to ask for the forgiveness of my sins,
as I forgive others.
If instead of the community of believers,
if his prayer was really was my prayer.
I pray that as I intone the words
with my brothers, my sisters
that it would ever be
my first-person prayer

November 2, 2008
Men’s Group discussion 11/1/08
The Lord’s Prayer, and
All Saints’ Day Sunday
Psalm 78:1-7
Hebrews 12:1-3 and sermon,
“Seizing the Future By Remembering the Past”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Serving First

The gift of bread, of the vine
serving first, so all will be fed;
becoming servants, like our brother
after the service, the prayer
serving first, humbly

November 2, 2008
Communion
Suncook United Methodist Church