Saturday, February 14, 2015

even if they are right – v3

even if they are right
that they must defend
that they must reclaim land
that their Iron Dome
is defensive, that there
is no other way than invasion
to defend their people;
what about the cost
to the innocent children,
those they put in the middle

pray for the children
for the Israeli people
that they may be safe
in their beds at night,
just like their neighbors

even if they are right
that their home is a prison
that the Israelis are the jailers;
pray for the children
pray for Gaza, the West Bank
for the Palestinian people
that they would have hope
in some just equitable future
safe without walls, restrictions,
with no more shelling

pray for the martyrs
the children, the civilians,
for those caught in the middle
those who are driven
from their beds at night

pray for the parents
who must bury their children
where human shields
and hospitals are bombed;
pray for all of them
caught in the middle
in this perfect storm
where ceasefire brings no peace
and it is all caught on tape
to be splashed round the world

=====
edited February 14, 2015
even if they are right – v3

edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right – v2
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right
(after the end of the 12-hour ceasefire)
edited July 18, 2014
pray for the children
after the ground invasion of Gaza
by Israeli forces
edited July 11, 2014
does it matter who started this
edited July 11, 2014
fish in a barrel, fish with weapons
edited July 10, 2014
Israel’s Future
post of child in rage about the Israeli’s bulldozing his home
in the Gaza Strip
7/10/2014
edited July 10, 2014
the battle foreordained – v2
new poem June 8, 2014
the battle foreordained
Daniel 7
and Men’s Bible Study
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
June 8, 2014
&
edited March 16, 2014
“Innocent Blood – v5”
(editing version 3)
Edited November 26, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v4”
after rereading original inspiration for the poem
Edited November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v3”
November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v2”
after writing several poems on this topic
&
announcement of a cease fire
between Gaza (Hamas) and Israel
November 21, 2012
&
the tragedy of the fighting in Gaza and Israel
and the source of the conflict
in the division of Ishmael and Isaac
the sons of Abraham
&
original poem
January 14 and 15, 2009
“Innocent Blood”
Matthew 2:13-23
and words of Bishop Peter Weaver,
in his Partners in Ministry email
1/14/09,
    THE TERRIBLE VIOLENCE IN THE GAZA STRIP is deeply disturbing.  Hundreds of innocent civilians, including children are being caught in the crossfire. Last week, after we celebrated Epiphany (Jan. 6, the magi visiting Bethlehem) I thought about the rest of Matthew 2 where Herod sets out to kill all the "innocents" under two and Mary, Joseph and Jesus head for Egypt....probably through Gaza!  Both the Palestinians and Israelis fear and react to violence from the other side and to a long history of threats and actions that are indelibly etched in their memories.  Tragically, every additional death and injustice etches new memories in new generations who will grow up with even more hatred and determination to "win", no matter what the means of terrorism or oppression. "An eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind"
       How can peace with justice be found?
       A Quaker saying, based in the Gospel, points the way.  "There can be no peace without reconciliation.  There can be no reconciliation without forgiveness.  There can be no forgiveness without giving up the hope of a better yesterday."  In other words, holding on to the deeply etched bitterness of the past prevents us from embracing a new future of peace.  Nations do it.  Families do it.  Churches do it.  Pray that we might all become peacemakers.  Pray for the land we call "holy."”

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Treasure Case – v6


Family memories
scraps and treasures
preserved on shelves
behind panes of glass
frozen there on the wall

most without note, provenance
lost with the passing
the matriarch, her memory
of the things, their deep meaning

triggers of stories, feelings,
smell, touch, connectedness
the living of our family
framed, saved, treasured
living pieces of us

=====
edited February 14, 2015
Treasure Case – v6

(merging edits to version 4 and original)
edited February 12, 2015
Treasure Case – v5
(merging edits to version 4 and original)
edited October 10, 2014
Treasure Case – v4
edited October 10, 2014
Treasure Case – v3
edited August 3, 2014
Treasure Case – v2
June 1, 2007 20:32
Treasure Case

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

proportionality – v3

When the aggressor strikes
there are consequences
in man’s laws, and the law of God
when there is harm
there is a judgment;
but no more than
is truly needed
not to inflict pain
but to exact justice
to balance the scales
to mete out the measure
an eye for an eye
a life for a life
but no more than that

No more than that
is truly justice
no more than that
is God’s punishment
the words of Exodus
the Law of Moses
the Word to the people
the chosen of God;
When the victim becomes
the new aggressor
demanding more
than God calls for Himself
than God allows

=====
edited February 14, 2015
proportionality – v3

(merging edits to version 2 and original)
edited February 4, 2015
proportionality – v2
edited August 3, 2014
proportionality
Hamas may have fired rockets into Israel
but has Israel’s response been proportional,
consistent with the Law
&
Exodus 21:23-25
“23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Exodus 21:12-36
&
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right – v2
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right
(after the end of the 12-hour ceasefire)
edited July 18, 2014
pray for the children
after the ground invasion of Gaza
by Israeli forces
edited July 11, 2014
does it matter who started this
edited July 11, 2014
fish in a barrel, fish with weapons
edited July 10, 2014
Israel’s Future
post of child in rage about the Israeli’s bulldozing his home
in the Gaza Strip
7/10/2014
edited July 10, 2014
the battle foreordained – v2
new poem June 8, 2014
the battle foreordained
Daniel 7
and Men’s Bible Study
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
June 8, 2014
&
edited March 16, 2014
“Innocent Blood – v5”
(editing version 3)
Edited November 26, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v4”
after rereading original inspiration for the poem
Edited November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v3”
November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v2”
after writing several poems on this topic
&
announcement of a cease fire
between Gaza (Hamas) and Israel
November 21, 2012
&
the tragedy of the fighting in Gaza and Israel
and the source of the conflict
in the division of Ishmael and Isaac
the sons of Abraham
&
original poem
January 14 and 15, 2009
“Innocent Blood”
Matthew 2:13-23
and words of Bishop Peter Weaver,
in his Partners in Ministry email
1/14/09,
    THE TERRIBLE VIOLENCE IN THE GAZA STRIP is deeply disturbing.  Hundreds of innocent civilians, including children are being caught in the crossfire. Last week, after we celebrated Epiphany (Jan. 6, the magi visiting Bethlehem) I thought about the rest of Matthew 2 where Herod sets out to kill all the "innocents" under two and Mary, Joseph and Jesus head for Egypt....probably through Gaza!  Both the Palestinians and Israelis fear and react to violence from the other side and to a long history of threats and actions that are indelibly etched in their memories.  Tragically, every additional death and injustice etches new memories in new generations who will grow up with even more hatred and determination to "win", no matter what the means of terrorism or oppression. "An eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind"
       How can peace with justice be found?
       A Quaker saying, based in the Gospel, points the way.  "There can be no peace without reconciliation.  There can be no reconciliation without forgiveness.  There can be no forgiveness without giving up the hope of a better yesterday."  In other words, holding on to the deeply etched bitterness of the past prevents us from embracing a new future of peace.  Nations do it.  Families do it.  Churches do it.  Pray that we might all become peacemakers.  Pray for the land we call "holy."”

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

every word – v2

You know every word
within my mind, my thoughts
long before they are spoken
when they are only ideas
not fully formed

This is hard to comprehend
to imagine such power
that You already knew me
within my mother’s womb
before I was born

You see everything
You know me completely
all that I am
all that I will ever be
known unto God.


====
edited February 13, 2015
every word – v2

February 7, 2015
every word
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Psalm 34:8
sermon “Dream As David Did . . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
Mystery box
-           a dream catcher (Erica)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
January 18, 2015

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Everything Created – v2

a precision to creation
a design for everything
everything with a purpose
everything created,
imbued with sacred worth,
all created intentionally;
God doesn’t make mistakes
everything created
by the hand of God.

====
edited February 14, 2015
Everything Created – v2

February 7, 2015
Everything Created
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Psalm 34:8
sermon “Dream As David Did . . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
Mystery box
-           a dream catcher (Erica)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
January 18, 2015

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

sit in silence – v3

perhaps the hardest gift
that which we can offer
merely our presence
not doing something
giving them the space they need
to sit with them in silence
offering them presence
a loving touch, listening,
to those who are hurting,
those who are lost in the dark
to sit in silence, waiting with them,
to offer them presence
so they are not alone;
left in that dark
on their own.

-----
edited February 14, 2015
sit in silence – v3

(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited February 9, 2015
sit in silence – v2
February 6, 2015
sit in silence
January 26, 2015 to February 1, 2015
“+suicide
Devozine for January and February 2015
&
Suicide Weekend
devotion “Surviving”
devotion by Sarah Arthur
devotion for January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2015
read February 1, 2015
&
Deuteronomy 31:6b (NIV)
devotion “Mourning”
devotion by Gabriel Bland
devotion for January 30, 2015
read February 1, 2015
&
Romans 8:37 (NRSV)
devotion “Choose Life”
devotion by Danika Cooley
devotion for January 29, 2015
read February 1, 2015
&
Galatians 6:2a (NRSV)
devotion “Being a Friend”
devotion by Sierra Klotz
devotion for January 28, 2015
read February 1, 2015
&
Psalm 40:1-3 (CEV)
devotion “Out of the Pit”
devotion by Kaitlin Anderson
devotion for January 27, 2015
read February 1, 2015
&
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
devotion “Big Plans”
devotion by Anonymous (16 year old girl)
devotion for January 26, 2015
read February 1, 2015
&
Youth Group
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 1, 2015

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

used to the seats we sit in – v2

following invisible snail trails
the grooves in the carpet
walking the same steps
each week, together

like a one-room schoolhouse
the seats all numbered
many families represented
each child known by name

used to the seats we sit in
in the sanctuary, our pews
even when others are missing
sitting in the same places


====
edited February 14, 2015
used to the seats we sit in – v2

January 5, 2015
used to the seats we sit in
thirty-five in attendance at worship
because of the snow storm
all sitting in our regular seats
asked to move forward
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Epiphany Sunday
January 4, 2015 

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

freedom from slavery – v2

their history of protection
of God’s hand upon them
through the storms, the trials
of God’s chosen people
the children of Abraham
freedom from slavery
by their faithfulness
by the grace of God
poured out on them
life for God’s people
by His hand.

====
edited February 14, 2015
freedom from slavery – v2

February 6, 2015
freedom from slavery
Psalm 62:1-2
Psalm 62:5-12
Psalm 86:6
Psalm 36:5-6 (Offertory hymn – “Your Love O Lord”)
Psalm 121
Isaiah 40
sermon “Rest and Refuge. . .”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
January 25, 2015
&
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Psalm 34:8
sermon “Dream As David Did . . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery box
-           a dream catcher (Erica)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
January 18, 2015

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

You knit me together – v2

You connected my bones
my parts, my pieces
You knit me together
my flesh, my tissue
from the dust;
You knit me together
within the secret place
within my mother’s womb
all that I am, with God’s hand

====
edited February 14, 2015
You knit me together – v2

February 7, 2015
You knit me together
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Psalm 34:8
sermon “Dream As David Did . . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
Mystery box
-           a dream catcher (Erica)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
January 18, 2015

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,890+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Love abides – v4

love abides
all love enduring;
love abides
when all else is gone.

God is eternal
love everlasting;
God alone
when all else is gone.

love abides
deep within us;
the breath of God
love dwelling in the Spirit.

when all else is gone
our God only
Love abides
God Here with us.

----
edited February 14, 2015
Love abides – v4

(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited February 24, 2014
“Love abides – v3”
(editing version 1 again)
Edited July 21, 2013
“Love abides – v2”
July 19, 2013
 “Love abides”
Theme: “Can we see the big picture”
“Big Picture Followers”
1 Corinthians 13:9-12 (GOD’S WORD translation)
Mark 6:1-6 (NRSV)
and sermon “Seeing More Clearly”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 3 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 21, 2013
&
Luke 7:36-47 (The Message)
Mark 5:21-34 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Matthew 13:44-46
children’s message
We are precious to God
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “How much does Jesus really matter?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 2 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 14, 2013
&
Mark 4:35-41 (The Message)
Luke 4:16-21 (Common English Bible)
Matthew 14:22-33
children’s message
We are not alone
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “Who Is this Captain”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 1 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 7, 2013

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,890+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.