Saturday, October 31, 2009

The Wind Blowing

While raking, mowing
gathering them in
the yellow, the red, orange leaves
the wind blowing,
swirling, catching our work
in the opposite direction,
ever so, while raking
blustery fall day
rain in the air
leaves going
everywhere

October 31, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

A New Day

Born anew, opportunities
a new day dawning, possibilities
so many choices, for good of for ill
our mark on the hours
to be used or frittered away


October 28, 2009 and October 29, 2009
Psalm 118:28
and Day 75, “The Most Important Day”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Sand – haiku

grit, coarse, slide under foot
wet weight, dry blowing on breezes
the edge of the tide


October 28, 2009 and October 29, 2009

Snow – haiku - 3

frozen flakes, shiver
cold, wet, beautiful
sparkling structures, gleam

October 28, 2008 and October 29, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Toiling in the fields

Toiling in the fields
in the service of the Lord
going into the wilderness
the world, to spread his love to all
Leading in the church
in the streets, in the halls
going where the savior led
carrying his cross, his joy
to one and all


October 28, 2009

Faithful Saints

Through the years, the ages
faithful saints, stewards
of our earth, of our faith
passing on, through their labors
the words of our tradition
the calling of our hearts
our scripture, the good news
living out in their lives
in loving service to the king

October 28, 2009

Discerning, through the eyes of faith

A question the world cannot answer
blind to a different measure, a calling
from deep within our hearts
a stirring, the still small voice speaking
words they cannot understand
Discerning, the calling of God
the nature of our path, our cross
gifts we have been given
for the service of the Lord
Discerning, through the eyes of faith alone
a far different measure
like the fishermen, Peter, James and John
heeding a different master
when they left their nets, their lives
to travel with the carpenter
fishers of men instead


October 28, 2009

The Shroud of Our Humanity

The thick outer garment
the shroud of our humanity
tied to the things of this earth
walking, burdened, heavy laden
so much to carry, day to day

Leaving the weight
the cares and struggles
approaching your cross, your throne
the mantle of the savior
the offering of the son
lifting our burden
so that we may soar


October 27, 2009 and October 28, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Isaiah 25:6-9
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 27, 2009
by Timothy J. Nadeau
&
Isaiah 40:28-31

Our Dwelling Place

Our dwelling place,
our fortress, our refuge
so is our God.

As he was for the people
wandering in the desert,
in this wilderness land too
our home is in the Lord.

Traveling, through this world
our time upon the earth,
returning to the father
when our work here is done.

October 27, 2009
Psalm 90:1
and Day 73, “Our Eternal Abode”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Law – haiku

the books of the law
foundations of the people
the mosaic code

October 27, 2009

A Foundation – haiku

under leaves and soil
a foundation of brick, stone
found in verdant woods

October 27, 2009


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 40,970+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Redeemed – haiku – 1

My sin washed away
your cross, your choice of God’s will
unmerited love

October 27, 2009

Leaves – haiku

leaves falling down, down
red, golden, yellow, cold, slow
twirling in the breeze

October 27, 2009

Sheets on the Line – haiku

freshly washed, hanging
sheets drying on the line
waving in the winds


October 27, 2009

An Ancient Wall – haiku

crumbling barriers
walls of stone, lichen, moss
out in the forest


October 27, 2009

The Stem, the Root – haiku

not a tree, a stump
a part of the living vine;
continuing line


October 27, 2009

His Blood – haiku

treasure of his blood
the one perfect offering
red making us clean


October 27, 2009

Before Snow

A feeling in the air
real, perceptible
cold, damp, knowing
sensing the coming
before snow
aware before the flakes


October 27, 2009

A Common Creed – haiku

shared faith, she and I
studying together, love
this people of God

October 27, 2009
Ruth and I
sharing Disciple I bible study

Redeemed – haiku – 2

My sin washed away
your cross, your choice of God’s will
saved by grace alone

October 27, 2009

Blind – haiku

we sit blind, lost, poor
needing the loving touch, Christ
so that we may see

October 27, 2009

Clay of the Potter – haiku

man, stuff of the earth
clay for the potter to mold
shaped by his hands


October 27, 2009
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/10/clay-of-potter-haiku.html

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 20,550+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Our Cross – haiku

our cross, picked up
when each one submits to God
our lives in his hands

October 27, 2009

Dust on our Sandals – haiku

dust on our sandals
needing to travel, to go
too long in one place

October 27, 2009

Submission – haiku

perfect submission
giving in to the father
dying so we live

October 27, 2009

Forgiven – haiku – 3

Humble man am I
Forgiven by his pure life
sacrificed for me

October 27, 2009

Approaching the Cross – haiku

Approaching the cross
coming to you on our knees
in awe of your gift

October 27, 2009

Drinking That Cup – haiku

thinking of your choice
drinking from that bitter cup
how much you love us

October 27, 2009

Taking on my sin – haiku

The shadow of man
my sin upon your pure heart
God, paying my price

October 27, 2009

Forgiveness – haiku

By your holy choice
forgiveness of my stain, sin
made pure by his blood

October 27, 2009

through their eyes

not only with their voices
their tongues revealed
the power of Pentecost
the spirit calling us
to speak with their words
in a language they may understand
to see the world
through their eyes
so they may hear
the wondrous message
the gospel real to them
in their hearing and in their sight


October 27, 2009
on reading Pastor Ruth L. Foss’
note to the Facebook posting,
October 27, 2009
of the poem, “In Native Tongues”

a new revelation of our Lord

in the sharing, the gospel
through the spirit moving within us,
speaking in words they may understand
in their native tongues
and in the way of our savior
speaking in parables
in words, stories real to them
out of their experience

In doing this, in stepping into their shoes,
speaking with words they may hear
seeing through their eyes
the world revealed anew for us
each of us in the wilderness
out in the world
a new revelation of the Lord


October 27, 2009
on reading Pastor Ruth L. Foss’
note to the Facebook posting,
October 27, 2009
of the poem, “In Native Tongues”

With His Calloused Hands

Not a member of the elite
never sitting, studying in the Temple
working, with his calloused hands
the nets, the water, this was his life

Beginning the church, this foundation
ordinary men, laity, common
spreading the word
the truth of God’s love
to the ends of the earth


October 26, 2009 and October 27, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Naming the Christ

Before the others
naming the Christ
heralding his identity
the truth of who he was
within the community

This truth, boldly
the foundation
this shoot of Jesse
son of David
the one who was to come
Messiah, living God


October 26, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
& Matthew 14:22-33
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

In the Face of Their Want

Loving the things we own
in the face of their want
Holding onto our possessions
when others struggle to live
Risking next to nothing
much of the world starving
while we fail to act


October 26, 2009
Faith in Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, October 21, 2009,
Mark 10:17-31
“Rationalizing the Scripture”
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5547293&ct=7600739
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

Comfortable on the Waves

Walking on the waters
before the spirit fell upon him
believing, naming the Christ
the fisherman
and the carpenter
changing the world
comfortable on the waves


October 26, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
& Matthew 14:22-33
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Monday, October 26, 2009

Devotions – haiku

Scripture and their words
Bringing us closer to God
centering each day

October 26, 2009

Hope - haiku

new life in the Lord
our future assured, heaven
all may enter in

October 26, 2009

Clay – haiku

Our hands, our feet, clay
stuck in the mire, the earthly
raised by the potter

October 26, 2009
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Psalm 40:2
and Day 67, “Out of the Pit”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Gifts – haiku

each of us given
special, our own unique gifts
used for the Lord

October 26, 2009
Ephesians 3:20
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 296, “Dream Big”
read 10/23/09
&
Jeremiah 29:11-13
&
what was written of me, in May 1978,
in the Stevens High School class will, where it said
“Ray Foss leaves to become the next John Steinbeck”

Dreams - haiku

our dreams of life, hope
walking into your courts, Lord
eternity there

October 26, 2009
Ephesians 3:20
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 296, “Dream Big”
read 10/23/09
&
Jeremiah 29:11-13
&
what was written of me, in May 1978,
in the Stevens High School class will, where it said
“Ray Foss leaves to become the next John Steinbeck”

Our Call – haiku

Each one answering
a separate call from God
to serve with our gifts


October 26, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Matthew 16:13-19
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Church – haiku

Our faith from one man
God come to earth for us all
founded on the rock

October 26, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

How Do We Know

How do we know
when the call is from the Lord
How do we know
when we should
leave our nets and go
Where do we turn
to discern your plan for us
What do we do
when others
question our choice


October 26, 2009
Ephesians 3:20
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 296, “Dream Big”
read 10/23/09
&
Jeremiah 29:11-13
&
what was written of me, in May 1978,
in the Stevens High School class will, where it said
“Ray Foss leaves to become the next John Steinbeck”

What will they say

I wonder, what will they say
if I speak the words
the callings on my heart
the steady drumbeat
the musing of the voice
calling from inside of me

What will they say
if I speak the words out loud
what I feel called to do
leading me away
taking me into an unknown
out of the boat

Out onto the waters
the waves, splashing on the boat
What will they say
if I voice my dream out loud?


October 26, 2009
Ephesians 3:20
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 296, “Dream Big”
read 10/23/09
&
Jeremiah 29:11-13
&
what was written of me, in May 1978,
in the Stevens High School class will, where it said
“Ray Foss leaves to become the next John Steinbeck”

Sunday, October 25, 2009

A Personal Encounter

A lesson in those early words
after the spirit descended on them
not a sermon or words to teach
his eyes meeting his
The beggar by the temple gate
ignored by others that day
The disciples meeting his gaze
offering words of love and grace

We are to be like those who have gone before
serving our fellow man
giving them hope and comfort
through our works
offering them a helping hand
Meeting their eyes, their yearning hearts
with the gifts the master shared
his love, his grace enough to bring
healing to a troubled world
hope for each woman, each man


October 25, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
& Acts 3:1-10
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Walking on Water

Unlike the others
huddled in the boat
afraid, frozen by the winds
the waves, crashing on the sides
He went when the master called
walking on the water toward the Lord
fear when the winds would wail
crying for the master’s hand
Trying to be faithful
to heed the shepherd’s voice
a prelude for his work
once the spirit
fell upon him in grace

Leaving the nets by the shore
following the savior’s lead
leaving the boat
for the water’s skin
his faith enough to stand
Called to follow in his steps
the rock upon the waves
to serve our fellow man
in ways revealed by God
Each of us has a part
a gift to do the work
to follow our savior’s way
to pick up our cross and walk


October 25, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
& Matthew 14:22-33
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

A Fisherman

A fisherman,
a carpenter
on these we built a church
ordinary men, like all the rest
called to serve the Lord
Out of their comfort zone
into the desert, the wilderness
out on the water
wherever they were called
No education, no standing or station
doing the work of the savior
standing in his place
Speaking truth to the powerful
going in his holy name
Spreading the love,
the word of God
down to our present age


October 25, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Holy Effort

Our mistakes a blessing
acceptable to the Lord
proof of our efforts
our serving in his name
trying when we are able
again when we miss the mark
He doesn’t ask for the able
the willing is a worthy start


October 25, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Timid Faith

When we talk of faith
the example of the titans
the pillars, the saints
the leaders before us

Peter, Paul, Mother Teresa
Isaiah, Elijah, John in the river
Abraham, Daniel in the lions’ den
Luther, Martin, John Wesley,
others of our family
all of them

Where is their faith?
Present, in their acts of faith
stepping out of their comfort
going where they are called

None of them half-way
not incremental, not timid faith
Bold, “step-out-of-the-boat,
go-where-you-do-not-know” steps
onto the water, into the streets, the deserts
denying themselves

We too, the same God, the same savior
the same family of faith
called to use our gifts, our strength
the same spirit burning within us
to take up our cross
and find our calling
to step out of the boat
to leave all, and follow the Christ
wherever he may lead


October 25, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Matthew 16:13-19
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Calling us

Calling us, into worship
her voice, rising alone
the words of the prophet
coming through the morning
his promise from God
in the truth of our struggles
but the strength of the Lord
rising up, each of us
claiming the name
children of God
rising up on those strong wings
into the sky, above this earthy toil
renewed, guided
never growing faint
always pressing on
in the work
for which we are called
Her voice, calling us
into worship
with the words of Isaiah
ringing in our ears


October 25, 2009
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Matthew 16:13-19
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

The love we are given

The love we are given
gifts to be given
to be shared with our neighbors
all we meet on this walk
our time on this earth

The gifts we receive, each unique, special
from the creator, the savior
a song, hope in our lives
washing over us, pouring forth
living waters, our cups

Overflowing, joy this morning
in the sanctuary, in worship
in prayer, together
a community sharing
a smile upon each heart


October 25, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& Choral Response
& Children’s message by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09

Three Crosses

On Calvary’s hill
three crosses,
their shadows remain
down through the generations
The three crosses
the sacrifice of the savior;
the choices of the two thieves
like us, each of them sinners
Their choice, the same as we face
to repent and follow Christ
to live our lives in glory
or follow the way of the earth
eternal damnation, like one's fate


October 25, 2009
thought of this morning
with the sharp-edged shadows
in the fall-morning light



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 22,630+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Awash with Light

Early-fall-morning light
the church, the stain glass
bathed, awash in light
the sun’s warming rays
flooding the face of the church
welcoming the community
reminding us of his presence
this house of God
red brick aglow
before the azure-fall sky

October 25, 2009
http://wwwsuncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

Power, from the Wealth of His Glory

Power, within us
your spirit oh Lord
out of the wealth of his glory
living within us
strengthening our hearts
Knowing the father’s love
feeling his presence
offering our lives, our bodies
our hands, our feet, our voices
our lives to be used by God
working through us
spreading his message,
our hope, to the world


October 24, 2009 and October 25, 2009
Ephesians 3:14-20
Matthew 16:13-19
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “This is not a spectator sport!”
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/25/09
&
1 Peter 3:8
Ephesians 4:29
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”