Friday, September 12, 2014

in testing, joy

in testing, joy
fruit flowing
in perseverance, hope
for a better tomorrow
in our trials, faith
beyond our comprehension
love to move mountains
grace to heal the world.


----
September 12, 2014
in testing, joy

James 1:2-4
“Consider It All Joy”
devotion by Kay Robertson
for September 6, 2014
read September 6, 2014
Duck Commander Daily Devotional
compiled by Alan Robertson

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 32,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

in going where God led them

in going where God led them
the sea was parted
the impossible came to pass
by the hand of God
the miraculous occurred
the sea floor a path
in going where God led them
His people were freed at last.

------
September 12, 2014
in going where God led them

Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
devotion for September 8, 2014
read September 8, 2014
&
 “Choosing God – Freeing the Soul”
for September 8, 2014 to September 14, 2014
by Catherine Cavanaugh
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
&
overview page
Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
“The Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21)(NCV)
Romans 14:1-12
“Don’t Criticize Other People” (NCV)
Matthew 18:21-35
“An Unforgiving Servant” (NCV)
the parable of the unforgiving servant

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

leaving to God judgment

leaving to God judgment
all retribution
renouncing violence
leaving that to God
exalting God for His mercy
heaped on us
mourning for the judgment
on the others
who continue in their sin.

------
September 12, 2014
leaving to God judgment

Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
devotion for September 9, 2014
read September 9, 2014
&
Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
devotion for September 8, 2014
read September 8, 2014
&
 “Choosing God – Freeing the Soul”
for September 8, 2014 to September 14, 2014
by Catherine Cavanaugh
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
&
overview page
Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
“The Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21)(NCV)
Romans 14:1-12
“Don’t Criticize Other People” (NCV)
Matthew 18:21-35
“An Unforgiving Servant” (NCV)
the parable of the unforgiving servant

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In a way they couldn’t imagine

death stared at them
by water or the sword
but God saved them
according to His plan
when they trusted completely
God wrote a solution
In a way they couldn’t imagine
God saved His people.

------
September 12, 2014
In a way they couldn’t imagine

Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
devotion for September 8, 2014
read September 8, 2014
&
 “Choosing God – Freeing the Soul”
for September 8, 2014 to September 14, 2014
by Catherine Cavanaugh
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
&
overview page
Exodus 14:19-31
story of God’s parting the Red Sea
and drowning the Egyptians soldiers
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
“The Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21)(NCV)
Romans 14:1-12
“Don’t Criticize Other People” (NCV)
Matthew 18:21-35
“An Unforgiving Servant” (NCV)
the parable of the unforgiving servant

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shining the Good Shepherd

projecting His light
the illumined story
shining the Good Shepherd
into the night
so many hurting
walking in the darkness
needing the old story
we know so well.

------
September 12, 2014
Shining the Good Shepherd

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
has the same window and spotlight feature,
shining the Good Shepherd up Main Street in Patten, ME
Romans 13:11-14
Romans 13:8-14
“Loving Others” (NCV)
devotion for September 7, 2014
read September 7, 2014
&
 Romans 13:8-10
Romans 13:8-14
“Loving Others” (NCV)
devotion for September 6, 2014
read September 6, 2014
&
 “The Sacred Struggle”
for September 1, 2014 to September 7, 2014
by Diane Luton Blum
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
&
overview page
Exodus 12:1-14
“The First Passover” (NCV)
Psalm 149
“Praise the God of Israel” (NCV)
Matthew 18:15-20
“When a Person Sins Against You” (NCV)
Romans 13:8-14
“Loving Others” (NCV)

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

in the same love

we are called to sacrifice
to agape love
to live in the same love
that Christ has for us
we are called to service
to agape love
to share the love Christ offered
to the ends of the earth.

------
September 12, 2014
in the same love

Romans 13:8-10
Romans 13:8-14
“Loving Others” (NCV)
devotion for September 6, 2014
read September 6, 2014
&
“The Sacred Struggle”
for September 1, 2014 to September 7, 2014
by Diane Luton Blum
Upper Room Disciplines for 2014
&
overview page
Exodus 12:1-14
“The First Passover” (NCV)
Psalm 149
“Praise the God of Israel” (NCV)
Matthew 18:15-20
“When a Person Sins Against You” (NCV)
Romans 13:8-14
“Loving Others” (NCV)

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

just a small bead

just a small bead
smaller than a marble
reminding us of the world
those who we should pray for
just a small bead
but something to hold onto
reminding us of the world
those who we should pray for


====
September 12, 2014
just a small bead

Isaiah 56:4-8 (NIV)
Psalm 67 (NIV)
Communion
&
Sermon 10 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Blue Green Bead – The World
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a bolt, a nut, and a washer
      - they are not useful for their intended purpose alone
      - we need all three to hold things together strongly
      - the church is like that – each of us has gifts
      - named some of the gifts of individuals – song, smile, faith, joy, encouragement, laughter, prayer warriors
      - the church needs all of us nuts to be bolted together
      - Jesus is the washer . . .  He washes us clean
      - we need all of us together
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Virally Going Global”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 7, 2014
&
Luke 18:1-8 NIV Bible
Ephesians 6:10-18 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Sermon 9 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Three Purple Bead – People You Love
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a bag of purple beads
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Standing in the Need of Prayer”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 31, 2014
&
1 John 3:11-18
“More on Love and Hatred” (NIV)
Luke 6:27-36
“Love for Enemies” (NIV)
Hymn – “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
Sermon 8 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Red Bead – People You Love
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a stone with the word “unforgiveness” on it. . .
(from exercise from book study, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)
-          God wants us to forgive; God has forgiven us;
-          ask for forgiveness; forgive even if they haven’t asked
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “The Loveable UnLovable”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 24, 2014
&
John 17:6-19
Christ’s prayer for his disciples
John 17:20-25
Christ’s prayer for all believers
Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Green Bead – Your Special Concern
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping
-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 17, 2014
&
prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,
including the following prayer:
“For our church that it may be safe for all people
and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”
Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible
Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible
Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball
-          God gives us treats
-          God wants us to play
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 3, 2014
&
Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Luke 12:12-15
Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible
“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles
Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith
children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson
reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys
and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 27, 2014
&
Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)
1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)
Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bead with a Hole - Silence
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box - a blank space
-          God starts with a blank canvas,
God fills in the picture until a masterpiece
is created and we come home
and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 20, 2014
&
Psalm 33:30-22
Psalm 25:1-3
Romans 8:30-32
Matthew 11:28-30
Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bumpy Bead – Letting Go
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads
-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:
-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can. . .
and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 13, 2014
&
June 29, 2014
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box 
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I don’t know how to fix it

I don’t know how to fix it
I don’t know what to pray for
when I think of
the state of the world
war, famine, injustice
disease circling the planet
weather seemingly out of control
all of it in motion

I don’t know how to fix it
but that may be the point
bringing the unfathomable, the impossible,
bringing them all to God.
God alone is able
to fix what is wrong
God alone is merciful
to heal the whole world.


====
September 12, 2014
I don’t know how to fix it

Isaiah 56:4-8 (NIV)
Psalm 67 (NIV)
Communion
&
Sermon 10 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Blue Green Bead – The World
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a bolt, a nut, and a washer
      - they are not useful for their intended purpose alone
      - we need all three to hold things together strongly
      - the church is like that – each of us has gifts
      - named some of the gifts of individuals – song, smile, faith, joy, encouragement, laughter, prayer warriors
      - the church needs all of us nuts to be bolted together
      - Jesus is the washer . . .  He washes us clean
      - we need all of us together
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Virally Going Global”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 7, 2014
&
Luke 18:1-8 NIV Bible
Ephesians 6:10-18 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Sermon 9 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Three Purple Bead – People You Love
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a bag of purple beads
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Standing in the Need of Prayer”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 31, 2014
&
1 John 3:11-18
“More on Love and Hatred” (NIV)
Luke 6:27-36
“Love for Enemies” (NIV)
Hymn – “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
Sermon 8 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Red Bead – People You Love
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a stone with the word “unforgiveness” on it. . .
(from exercise from book study, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)
-          God wants us to forgive; God has forgiven us;
-          ask for forgiveness; forgive even if they haven’t asked
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “The Loveable UnLovable”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 24, 2014
&
John 17:6-19
Christ’s prayer for his disciples
John 17:20-25
Christ’s prayer for all believers
Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Green Bead – Your Special Concern
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping
-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 17, 2014
&
prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,
including the following prayer:
“For our church that it may be safe for all people
and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”
Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible
Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible
Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball
-          God gives us treats
-          God wants us to play
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 3, 2014
&
Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Luke 12:12-15
Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible
“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles
Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith
children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson
reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys
and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 27, 2014
&
Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)
1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)
Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bead with a Hole - Silence
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box - a blank space
-          God starts with a blank canvas,
God fills in the picture until a masterpiece
is created and we come home
and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 20, 2014
&
Psalm 33:30-22
Psalm 25:1-3
Romans 8:30-32
Matthew 11:28-30
Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bumpy Bead – Letting Go
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads
-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:
-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can. . .
and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 13, 2014
&
June 29, 2014
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box 
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014

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 32,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.