Saturday, August 30, 2014

the liquid holding a secret – v2

can you see it, does the artist
the liquid holding a secret
a horse already born
an image within the glass
coaxing it from its hiding
from the love in the shadows
alive within the plastic
the changing, molten glass

the creation already present
needing to be revealed
hidden within the flames
within the liquid glass
these horses rearing
their legs to the sky
their bodies giving

the horses emerging
beautiful, perfect
as they always were, giving,
to the glassblower’s touch
to his teasing, coaxing
coming out of hiding
from the shadows
into the light


====
edited August 30, 2014
the liquid holding a secret – v2

edited August 30, 2014
the liquid holding a secret
edited August 29, 2014
hidden within the glass – v2
August 29, 2014
hidden within the glass
in response to question
about whether the horse in the liquid glass
was first in the mind of the artist or within the glass itself
====
edited August 28, 2014
formed within the stone – v7
(editing version 2)
Edited October 14, 2013
formed within the stone – v6
(editing original again)
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v5
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v4
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v3
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v2
new poem, October 9, 2013
formed within the stone
Edited September 29, 2013
an onion peeling – v3
(editing original again)
Edited September 24, 2013
an onion peeling – v2
September 21, 2013
an onion peeling
September 21, 2013
In the quiet moments
teaching at Katahdin Middle/ High School

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the liquid holding a secret

the liquid holding a secret
a horse already born
an image within the glass
coaxing from its hiding
from the love in the shadows
alive within the plastic

the changing, molten glass
the creation already present
needing to be revealed
hidden within the flames
these horses rearing
their legs to the sky

their bodies giving
the horses emerging
to the glassblower’s touch
to his teasing, coaxing
coming out of hiding
into the light


====
edited August 30, 2014
the liquid holding a secret

edited August 29, 2014
hidden within the glass – v2
August 29, 2014
hidden within the glass
in response to question
about whether the horse in the liquid glass
was first in the mind of the artist or within the glass itself
====
edited August 28, 2014
formed within the stone – v7
(editing version 2)
Edited October 14, 2013
formed within the stone – v6
(editing original again)
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v5
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v4
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v3
edited October 9, 2013
formed within the stone – v2
new poem, October 9, 2013
formed within the stone
Edited September 29, 2013
an onion peeling – v3
(editing original again)
Edited September 24, 2013
an onion peeling – v2
September 21, 2013
an onion peeling
September 21, 2013
In the quiet moments
teaching at Katahdin Middle/ High School

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Working the Imperfections – v2

Lovingly, working the imperfections
the bubbles, the things that don’t belong
refining, molding, changing
The clay from the earth, seeing a vision
of what is to be, what it is to become
starting anew, the Potter at the wheel
Reshaping, touching the clay

His hands guiding, the dance of creation
the vessel forming, turning, pulled upward
becoming itself, what was hidden within
Glazed, fired, given the quickening of life
the breath of the Potter onto, into the clay
the shine of the finish, reflecting His face
each complete, in the image of God


=====
edited August 29, 2014
Working the Imperfections – v2

December 4, 2009
Working the Imperfections
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Genesis 2:4b-25
the tension between the two traditions
giving us two creation stories
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Jeremiah 18:1-4
&
via email conversation 12/4/09
with artist and teacher
Carol Childress,
author of blog, “Choosing Joy”,

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Working the Clay – v2

The warmth of Your hands
My Father, Creator, the Potter,
the feel of Your touch, Your care
Your strength, Your love
turning the wheel, the balance,
the lump of clay, my shape, my body
my form, my purpose, my calling
rising from the surface
the completed vessel within the clay
taking shape, in His hands
changing, growing, becoming clearly
called from the clay, the earth
my innermost being, that part hidden,
in my mother’s womb, where I was created,
my days numbered, my thoughts known
my life charted, crafted, molded
within Your hands


----  
edited August 29, 2014
Working the Clay – v2

January 16, 2009
Working the Clay
based on comment left on christianpoetry.com
about my poem, Clay on the Wheel
--------
Clay on the Wheel

My life, clay on the wheel
feeling the touch of the potter
molding, reshaping, changing me
constantly pliable, moist,
never yet fired, hardened
ever malleable, changing,
never finished in this life

His fingers, prints on my flesh
changed by the creator, the potter
giving my life over to Him
clay on His wheel,
submitting to His will
may I ever be thus

October 15, 2008
Clay on the Wheel
Psalm 138
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-12

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Your servant, your child, your clay – v2

Oh Lord, my Father
crying in the night
wanting to be with You
worthy in Your sight
Your servant, Your child, Your clay
molded, changing,
turning in Your hand
wanting to be with You
seeking Your blessing
so many gifts given
wanting to give
eager to listen
to see Your path
yet blind, deaf
failing to hear, to listen,
to grasp my path
needing reminders
direction, real vision
Your voice speaking
whispering, musing
shouting within me


=====
edited August 29, 2014
Your servant, your child, your clay – v2

January 13, 2012
Your servant, your child, your clay
1 Samuel 3:1-9
Upper Room Disciplines for 2012
January 9, 2012 to January 9, 2012,
“The Word and Our Word”
by Marilyn Brown Oden
scripture and meditation for January 12, 2012
read January 12, 2012
&
1 Samuel 3:10-20
Upper Room Disciplines for 2012
January 9, 2012 to January 9, 2012,
“The Word and Our Word”
by Marilyn Brown Oden
scripture and meditation for January 9, 2012
read January 9, 2012

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Within the body of my clay – v2

Within the body of my clay
the hope I hold dear, within me,
the love of Christ come down
the grace of Almighty God

The power to heal
to turn the world around forever
nothing of my own doing
only through Jesus Christ


-------
edited August 29, 2014
Within the body of my clay – v2

December 5, 2010
Within the body of my clay
2 Corinthians 4:1-10 (NRSV)
Isaiah 11:1-9 (TEV)
Luke 2:22-32 (TEV)
Luke 2:14 (bulletin cover)
Luke 19:41 (worship theme)
Responsive Prayer
(“Call to Worship #3”,
Year B, Second Sunday of Advent,
December 7, 2008, Order of service written by
the Rev. Nancy Townley, Abingdon author.)
Worship Theme: “If only you knew the way to peace”
and sermon, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
December 5, 2010
Second Sunday of Advent

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Within My Clay – v2

Held within my clay
the treasure of my faith
my belief in Christ
the coming of the King

The Advent season
waiting for our God
in the presence of the babe,
in the King upon the clouds

The Spirit moving
guiding my feet;
leading me to the manger
to the cross, out into the world

Within my clay
the treasure of my faith,
needing to be shared
with everyone on earth


------
edited August 29, 2014
Within My Clay – v2

December 7, 2010
Within My Clay
2 Corinthians 4:1-10 (NRSV)
Isaiah 11:1-9 (TEV)
Luke 2:22-32 (TEV)
Luke 2:14 (bulletin cover)
Luke 2:8-14
Luke 19:41 (worship theme)
Responsive Prayer
(“Call to Worship #3”,
Year B, Second Sunday of Advent,
December 7, 2008, Order of service written by
the Rev. Nancy Townley, Abingdon author.)
Advent Candle Liturgy, by Dean McIntyre (with Psalm 72:1-7)
Children’s Message based on Matthew 1:21-23
Worship Theme: “If only you knew the way to peace”
and sermon, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
December 5, 2010
Second Sunday of Advent

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

With My Feet of Clay – v2

Walking in this world
with my feet of clay;
knowing I am called
to be salt today

Not losing my sense
my surety of my poverty,
the sin that was my sentence,
my judgment in this life

Speaking out for them
that I may be light;
sharing the love
doing what is right

Listening to the words
that come into my heart;
aching for my brothers, my sisters
those who are crying out

Speaking because I must
taking up their cause;
their cries for freedom
resonating in my heart

With my feet of clay
coming from the earth,
though I am salt,
lifting the people up

The cry, light
up on the lampstand;
hoping they will taste freedom,
free in their homeland


edited August 29, 2014
With My Feet of Clay – v2

February 19, 2011
With My Feet of Clay
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, etc.
and
especially the resignation of Hosni Mubarak
February 11, 2011
&
and the jubilance in Tahrir Square
versus the bloodshed in Bahrain and Libya, etc.
February 18, 2011
&
hearing claim by President Obama 2/15/2011
in a news conference that when history books tell it
we will be seen as being on the right side of history
in how the United States responded
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
“Our Revolution was like Wikipedia”
February 14, 2011
&
Post on Twitter by Wael Ghonim
 “This is Revolution 2.0: No one was a hero because everyone was a hero.
February 13, 2011
and see
A Prayer for the People of Egypt (February 3, 2011)
by Safiyah Fosua
&
Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
(and Matthew 5:1-12, Beatitudes)
John 6:51 (Call to Worship)
Isaiah 58.6-12 (NRSV)
John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:4-6
(“They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, The Faith We Sing #2223)
Micah 6:8
(“We Are Called”, The Faith We Sing #2172)
Call to Worship (John 6:51)
Prayer of Confession
Prayer of Dedication
Worship Theme: “A Meal for All People”
and sermon, “Salty Christians”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 6, 2011
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

With Humble Feet of Clay – v2

Walking day to day
upon this good earth
safe in my Savior
though I am weak

With humble feet of clay
I journey in this life
only in my Savior
do I feel safe

Leaning on God’s strength
on Christ do I stand
at peace, held
in His loving hand


====
edited August 29, 2014
With Humble Feet of Clay – v2

June 25, 2010
With Humble Feet of Clay
Isaac Kiiza Tibasiima’s
Gmail status
“My hiding place, my safe refuge. . . “
read June 25, 2010
&
Exodus 33:22
1 Kings 19:5-18
1 Kings 19:11

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

When the clay loves like Christ – v2

We will do greater things
we will be like Christ;
we will do as He has done
when the clay loves like Christ

Maybe this is what He meant
how we could do greater things;
when we love as He does
making Christ our home

When the clay loves like Christ
what a day that will be;
the kingdom here
for all to see


-----
edited August 29, 2014
When the clay loves like Christ – v2

February 16, 2012
When the clay loves like Christ
bible study with Jean Anocibar on February 15, 2012
John 14:1:4
John 14:5-14
John 14:15-31
Galatians 6:9-10
James 1:2-3
Matthew 7:25-34
James 1:5-6
1 Corinthians 13:2
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Corinthians 6:19
2 Corinthians 6:16
James 3:13-17
bible study with Jean Anocibar on February 9, 2012
John 13:34
John 13:31-35
John 13:31-38
John 13:31
Luke 10:25-29
Good Samaritan
Leviticus 19:18
bible study with Jean Anocibar on February 2, 2012
Hebrews 2:5-18
Jesus made fully human

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 32,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

We are the Clay – v2

Our focus lost
when we focus on ourselves
when we see us as the Creator
forgetting our station
that we are the clay
and God is the Potter
that our life is a whisper
a mere breath of time
that we are to be the servant
the vessels, sharing God’s love
God’s grace poured out
to be given away
as we are able
as we have been gifted
not to curry favor
but to be faithful
following Christ’s example
out into the world
messengers of Christ
making disciples,
sharing love, His light,
to the ends of the earth


----
edited April 23, 2016
Tilling the Soil – v2
July 31, 2010
When Christians Get it Wrong trailer
AbingtonBooks
by Adam Hamilton
&
edited January 12, 2016
Giving God Our Clay – v4
(editing version 3)
edited October 30, 2015
Giving God Our Clay – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 9, 2014
Giving God Our Clay – v2
edited August 29, 2014
We are the Clay – v2
edited August 17, 2014
Made of Clay – v2
August 9, 2010
Made of Clay
potter and clay
&
Matthew 28.16-20
Psalm 78:1-7
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: You Are a Teacher
and sermon, A Word from The Last Lecture of Jesus
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 8, 2010
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
&
Matthew 28:16-20
Sermon, “Teaching is Not Just For Teachers”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
June 21, 2009
Father’s Day
&
August 5, 2010
We are the Clay
August 1, 2010
Giving God Our Clay
July 30, 2010
-          A Harvest for the Table http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/07/harvest-for-table.html
-          Ours to share
-         Wholly Yours
-         Not coveting possessions
Luke 12:13-21
Colossians 3:1-4
Psalm 107:1-3 (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer:
“Eternal God, we have come this day to be with you,
to talk with you, to listen to you, to hear your voice,
to rest in your embrace. Help us to put aside the worries
we have, even if only for this time with you, so that
we may be wholly yours. In Jesus name. Amen”
Worship Theme: “Sharing our blessings”
and sermon, “It’s Nice to Share. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 1, 2010
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
&

Matthew 13:1-11; 24-30
“Waste and Grace”,
by Rev. Frank Gulinello, Jr.
“ Jesus’ parable of the Sower focuses on the scattering of the seed.
No matter what kind of ground it falls upon, whether hardpan or
deep rich soil, God will have a harvest yielding a hundred fold.
So, scattering the seed aimlessly is not wasteful in God’s economy.”
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

August 1, 2010
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
&
Gmail status of Isaac Kiiza Tibisiima
&
Psalm 100:1-3 (NLT) (Call to Worship)
&
Colossians 2:6-10, 16-19 (The Message)
Colossians 2:6-19 (The Message)
Luke 11:9-11 (NLT)
Worship Theme: “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing”
and sermon, “Buyer Beware”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 25, 2010
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
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 41,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.