ripples of energy through the universe

Our voices have power, importance, meaning,
we are more than our position, our station,
sending ripples of energy through the universe,
we can manifest a brighter future…
 
We have power, our voices matter,
no matter what others may say,
lifting up one another, sharing,
offering love along the way…
 
We can manifest a brighter future,
sending ripples of energy through the universe,
we are more than our position, our station,
our voices have power, importance, meaning...
 
We have the power to change the world…
 
-------------- 

June 28, 2024

ripples of energy through the universe

Edited/new name June 28, 2024
We have power, our voices are important – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/we-have-power-our-voices-are-important.html
June 28, 2024
Of course, our voices are important.
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/of-course-our-voices-are-important_28.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/of-course-our-voices-are-important.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, writing, ideas, power, authority, calling, purpose, hope, love, faith,
 
#poetry #God #writing #ideas #power #authority #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose
 
-----
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

We have power, our voices are important - v2

We have power, our voices are important,
We must speak our truth, our hope, life,
Even in darkness, when we cannot see light,
When we feel small, inconsequential,
When we feel broken, damaged, insignificant,
We can send ripples through the universe,
Energy, a Butterfly Effect through time…
 
We have power, our voices are important,
No matter our position, our station,
We must not consider ourselves unworthy,
We can rise up like the rest, together,
A mighty army of truth, of love, of light,
Setting the world back together, confident,
Energy, a Butterfly Effect through time…
 
--------------
Edited/new name June 28, 2024
We have power, our voices are important – v2
 
June 28, 2024
Of course, our voices are important.
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/of-course-our-voices-are-important_28.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/of-course-our-voices-are-important.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, writing, ideas, power, authority, calling, purpose, hope, love, faith,
 
#poetry #God #writing #ideas #power #authority #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose
 
-----
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

Of course, our voices are important

Of course, our voices are important,
We must speak our truth, our hope,
Even in darkness, when we cannot see light,
When we feel inconsequential, small,
When we feel broken, damaged,
We can send ripples, through the universe,
A Butterfly Effect through time…
 
Of course, our voices are important,
No matter our position, our station,
We must not consider ourselves unworthy,
We can rise up like the rest, together,
A mighty army of truth, of love, of light,
Setting the world back together, confident,
A Butterfly Effect through time…
 
--------------
June 28, 2024
Of course, our voices are important.
 
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/of-course-our-voices-are-important.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, writing, ideas, power, authority, calling, purpose, hope, love, faith,
 
#poetry #God #writing #ideas #power #authority #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose
 
-----
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

Of course, our voices are important.

Of course, our voices are important,
We must speak our truth, our hope,
Even in darkness, when we cannot see light,
When we feel inconsequential, small,
When we feel broken, damaged,
We can send ripples, through the universe,
A Butterfly Effect through time…
 
Of course, our voices are important,
No matter our position, our station,
We must not consider ourselves unworthy,
We can rise up like the rest, together,
A mighty army of truth, of love, of light,
Setting the world back together, confident,
A Butterfly Effect through time…
 
--------------
June 28, 2024
Of course, our voices are important.
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, writing, ideas, power, authority, calling, purpose, hope, love, faith,
 
#poetry #God #writing #ideas #power #authority #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose
 
-----
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

We will be transformed – v2

We will be transformed
our bodies will be transfigured
We will have life anew
we will rise up to heaven…
 
We will be raised from the dead,
those living will be changed in a twinkling,
Our flesh will become eternal
as we traverse the sky…
 
We will be transformed
rising with Christ to heaven,
Our bodies will be renewed
we will don eternal flesh…


--------------
Edited June 28, 2024

We will be transformed – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/we-will-be-transformed-v2.html

June 28, 2024
We will be transformed
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/we-will-be-transformed.html
Based on #1Corinthians15:51-58
I excitedly ran outside after I took a picture of this poem before I even posted it because I wanted to read it aloud to my sister as she was about to head home, sitting in the car in the driveway. Do you see what this scripture says, we will rise in immortal bodies, transformed from flesh to eternal as we are rising to heaven. How amazing is that. This is a Volume Up poem...
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

Listen to the cries of these people

Listen to the cries of these people,
In hope, in despair, in protest,
Crying out for the world
To come to their aid, to care…
 
Listen to the cries of these people,
Noble, resolute, courageous,
Carrying a heavy burden,
One we would not choose…
 
----------
June 28, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people
 
June 28, 2024
May the carnage end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

We will be transformed

We will be transformed
our bodies will be transfigured
We will have life anew
we will rise up to heaven…
 
We will be raised from the dead,
the living will be changed in a twinkling,
Our flesh will become eternal
as we traverse the sky…
 
--------------
June 28, 2024
We will be transformed
 
Based on #1Corinthians15:51-58
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

May the carnage end in #Ukraine

May humanity rise
to support Ukraine
in its existential fight
to defend itself,
to defeat terror and
genocide raining upon
its people and its nation...
 
May the carnage end
may the shelling be defeated,
air defenses installed,
to protect these people
this ancient land in Europe,
the skies freed of terror
so a just peace may rise…
 
----------
June 28, 2024
May the carnage end
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

Keeping our demons at bay

He knows all too well
that primal adrenaline rush,
darkness, our carnal nature,
that yearns to steal our bodies,
that speaks in nights of chaos,
poison, our hearts racing in flight…
 
Keeping our demons at bay
holding onto Christ Jesus,
calling Him in the darkness,
for the Spirit to rise within us
to push the demons out
to have peace in our bodies…
 
An ancient struggle repeating,
our higher brain ascendent,
reason battling the forces,
deep within, the terror,
the demons, the beast waiting,
to catch us in our weakness…
 
Keeping our demons at bay,
in the power of Christ Jesus,
cleaving to our Savior,
the Lamb on His throne,
He knows all too well the names,
of each and every demon…
 
--------------  
June 28, 2024
Keeping our demons at bay
 
Edited June 18, 2024
Rebuke Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/rebuke-evil-v2.html
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, demons,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #demons

Eyes that will smile again

Eyes that will smile again,
Joy that will be resurgent,
Life in the simple things,
A sense of calm, at peace…
 
This is my prayer, my friend,
From my spirit, my heart,
That you would again feel joy,
This weight would be lifted off…
 
You all have struggled,
Fought evil for too long,
But God has walked with you,
His Spirit will lift you up…
 
Yes, your eyes will smile again,
Life in all its fullness, beauty,
Simple joys will wash over you,
Your spirit will be renewed…
 
----------
June 28, 2024
Eyes that will smile again
 
Edited June 2, 2024
Soulful Eyes – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/soulful-eyes-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, warrior, leader, patriot, soldier, eyes, sorrow, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, joy, happiness, peace,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #warrior #patriot #soldier #eyes #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #joy #happiness #peace

Put on the flesh of Christ - v2

Die to your old self, reborn,
put on the flesh of Christ,
Walk redeemed, in your spirit,
live your life for God…
 
Stay firm in your faith,
put on the risen Christ,
Do not put on the flesh of sin,
once you have been born again…
 
Die to sin, to your past,
walk in the light of God,
Put on the flesh of Christ,
your Savior seated on high…
 
Hold fast to your faith,
put on the risen Christ,
Walk in His ways, His light,
let the Spirit guide your steps…
 
Die to the world, to the flesh,
set your sights on Christ,
Live as a redeemed people,
put on the flesh of Christ…
 
--------------
Merged June 28, 2024
Put on the flesh of Christ – v2
 
June 28, 2024
Put on the flesh of Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/put-on-flesh-of-christ.html
June 27, 2024
Do not put on the flesh of sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/do-not-put-on-flesh-of-sin.html
June 27, 2024
We must live a new life
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/we-must-live-new-life.html
Edited June 27, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/under-protection-of-grace-v3.html
June 27, 2024
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/dead-to-sin-alive-in-christ.html
Based on #Romans6:1-18
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

Put on the flesh of Christ

Die to your old self, reborn,
Put on the flesh of Christ,
Walk redeemed, in your spirit,
Live your life for God…
 
Die to sin, to your past,
Walk in the light,
Put on the flesh of Christ,
Your Savior seated on high…
 
Die to the world, the flesh,
Set your sights on Christ,
Live as redeemed people,
Put on the flesh of Christ…
 
--------------
June 28, 2024
Put on the flesh of Christ
 
June 27, 2024
Do not put on the flesh of sin
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/do-not-put-on-flesh-of-sin.html
June 27, 2024
We must live a new life
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/we-must-live-new-life.html
Edited June 27, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/under-protection-of-grace-v3.html
June 27, 2024
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/dead-to-sin-alive-in-christ.html
Based on #Romans6:1-18
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

God is beside the brokenhearted – v2

God is beside the brokenhearted,
in our storms, in our struggles,
God’s Spirit dwells within us,
breathing life, forever, as close as breath…
 
Christ has gone before us,
He has saved and redeemed us,
We are now beloved children,
sons and daughters of the Most High God…
 
God is beside the brokenhearted,
He will never leave of forsake us,
God’s Spirit is within us, indwelling,
beside us, with us always, as close as breath…
 
--------------  
Edited June 28, 2024
God is beside the brokenhearted – v2
 
Edited June 23, 2024
In the depths of our sorrow – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/in-depths-of-our-sorrow-v3.html
Edited June 23, 2024
God holds the brokenhearted – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/god-holds-brokenhearted-v2.html
Edited June 22, 2024
God is right beside us – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/god-is-right-beside-us-v2.html
Based on #Psalm34:18
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and
saves those who are crushed in spirit."
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com ) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #prayer

Do not put on the flesh of sin

Stay firm in your faith,
Put on the risen Christ,
Do not put on the flesh of sin,
Once you have been born again…
 
Hold fast to your faith,
Put on the risen Christ,
Walk in His ways, His light,
Let the Spirit guide your steps…
 
--------------
June 27, 2024
Do not put on the flesh of sin
 
June 27, 2024
We must live a new life
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/we-must-live-new-life.html
Edited June 27, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/under-protection-of-grace-v3.html
June 27, 2024
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/dead-to-sin-alive-in-christ.html
Based on #Romans6:1-18
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

We must live a new life

We must live a new life,
Redeemed from our sin,
Raised from the dead, alive,
We walk in light, are saved…
 
We must live a new life,
Resurrected in Christ,
Washed clean of our sin,
We are born again, by grace…
 
--------------
June 27, 2024
We must live a new life
 
Edited June 27, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/under-protection-of-grace-v3.html
June 27, 2024
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/dead-to-sin-alive-in-christ.html
Based on #Romans6:1-18
Based on #1Peter3:7-12
Based on #Colossians3:1-10
Based on #Isaiah40:18-31
Based on #Psalm86
Based on #Joshua1:6-9
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
Based on #Romans8:1-10
Based on #Colossians1:13-29
Based on #1Corinthians6:15-20
Based on #Jeremiah1:1-8
Based on #1Corinthians12:12-27
Based on #Deuteronomy31:1-8
Based on #Hebrews10:23-39
Based on #Colossians2:1-10
Based on #Lamentations3:19-33
Based on #Psalm34
Based on #Hebrews10:23-39
Based on #Proverbs2:1-5
Based on #James5:16
Based on #Proverbs27:17
Based on #Lamentations3:22-24
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

Under the protection of grace – v3

We walk by faith not by sight,
We are saved by grace alone,
not by our own efforts, our good deeds,
None of us are worthy of God’s grace,
yet it is by grace that we each are saved…
 
We dwell not under the law,
slaves to sin, to eternal death,
We live under the protection of grace,
the love of our Savior, our Master,
yes, it is by God’s grace that we are saved…
 
--------------
Edited June 27, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v3
 
June 27, 2024
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/dead-to-sin-alive-in-christ.html
Edited June 8, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/under-protection-of-grace-v2.html
Based on #Romans6:1-18
Based on #1Peter3:7-12
Based on #Colossians3:1-10
Based on #Isaiah40:18-31
Based on #Psalm86
Based on #Joshua1:6-9
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
Based on #Romans8:1-10
Based on #Colossians1:13-29
Based on #1Corinthians6:15-20
Based on #Jeremiah1:1-8
Based on #1Corinthians12:12-27
Based on #Deuteronomy31:1-8
Based on #Hebrews10:23-39
Based on #Colossians2:1-10
Based on #Lamentations3:19-33
Based on #Psalm34
Based on #Hebrews10:23-39
Based on #Proverbs2:1-5
Based on #James5:16
Based on #Proverbs27:17
Based on #Lamentations3:22-24
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Dead to sin, alive in Christ,
Reborn, we are restored,
Healed from the breach
Of our rebellion, our shame,
We are united in Christ…
 
Dead to sin, alive in Christ,
Healed forevermore,
We have life in the Spirit,
Within the vine of Christ,
We walk in righteousness…
 
--------------
June 27, 2024
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
 
Edited June 8, 2024
Under the protection of grace – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/under-protection-of-grace-v2.html
Based on #Romans6:1-18
Based on #1Peter3:7-12
Based on #Colossians3:1-10
Based on #Isaiah40:18-31
Based on #Psalm86
Based on #Joshua1:6-9
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
Based on #Romans8:1-10
Based on #Colossians1:13-29
Based on #1Corinthians6:15-20
Based on #Jeremiah1:1-8
Based on #1Corinthians12:12-27
Based on #Deuteronomy31:1-8
Based on #Hebrews10:23-39
Based on #Colossians2:1-10
Based on #Lamentations3:19-33
Based on #Psalm34
Based on #Hebrews10:23-39
Based on #Proverbs2:1-5
Based on #James5:16
Based on #Proverbs27:17
Based on #Lamentations3:22-24
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #calling #purpose

God will turn His face against you

God will turn His face against you,
If you choose to do evil,
God inclines His ear to the righteous,
To their unending prayer…
 
Turn from evil, from the flesh,
Cleave to God’s scripture,
Lean to hear God’s Spirit,
Speaking to your heart…
 
God will turn His face toward you,
As you walk in Christ’s light,
Let the Spirit lead you,
In your walk, in this life…
 
--------------
June 27, 2024
God will turn His face against you
 
Edited/ merged/ new name June 27, 2024
turn from evil and do good
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/turn-from-evil-and-do-good.html
Edited/ new name June 27, 2024
be compassionate and humble
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/be-compassionate-and-humble.html
June 27, 2024
Keep your tongue from evil
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/keep-your-tongue-from-evil.html
June 27, 2024
repay evil with blessing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/repay-evil-with-blessing.html
Based on 1 Peter 3:7-12
Based on Colossians 3:1-10
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, trust, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #trust #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

turn from evil and do good

Let heaven fill your thoughts,
the Lamb seated upon His throne,
Set your sights on Jesus,
the perfecter of our faith…
 
Be compassionate and humble,
keep your tongue from evil,
let love guide you, lead you
your lips from deceitful speech…
 
Love one another,
repay evil with blessing,
Be compassionate, humble,
as you live, as you walk…
 
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it,
Find ways to walk more humbly,
with your neighbors, and with God…
 
Keep your tongue from evil
your lips from deceitful speech,
Let love guide you, lead you,
in every action you take in life…
 
Let heaven fill your thoughts,
reject every evil desire,
Set your sights on Jesus,
the perfecter of our faith…
 
--------------
Edited/ merged/ new name June 27, 2024
turn from evil and do good
 
Edited/ new name June 27, 2024
be compassionate and humble
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/be-compassionate-and-humble.html
June 27, 2024
Keep your tongue from evil
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/keep-your-tongue-from-evil.html
June 27, 2024
repay evil with blessing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/repay-evil-with-blessing.html
Based on 1 Peter 3:7-12
Based on Colossians 3:1-10
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, trust, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #trust #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

be compassionate and humble

be compassionate and humble,
keep your tongue from evil,
your lips from deceitful speech,
let love guide you, lead you
in every word, every thought,
in every action you take in life…
 
for you were called for a purpose,
you are a witness, a vessel,
to be love, to walk in light,
the Spirit was breathed within you,
to carry the message of Jesus,
the light to save the world…
 
let God’s love heal your, guide you,
on your journey, on your path,
shun evil, the world, the flesh,
be compassionate and humble,
seeking the best for everyone,
in every moment of your life…
 
--------------
Edited/ new name June 27, 2024
be compassionate and humble
 
June 27, 2024
Keep your tongue from evil
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/keep-your-tongue-from-evil.html
June 27, 2024
repay evil with blessing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/repay-evil-with-blessing.html
Based on 1 Peter 3:7-12
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, trust, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #trust #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

keep your tongue from evil

keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from deceitful speech,
let love guide you, lead you,
in every word, every thought,
in every action you take in life…
 
for you were called for a purpose,
you are a witness, a vessel,
to be love, to walk in light,
to carry the message of Jesus,
the light to save the world…
 
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from deceitful speech,
let God’s love heal your, guide you,
on your journey, on your path,
in every moment of your life…
 
--------------
June 27, 2024
Keep your tongue from evil
 
June 27, 2024
repay evil with blessing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/repay-evil-with-blessing.html
Based on 1 Peter 3:7-12
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, trust, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #trust #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

repay evil with blessing

Love one another,
Repay evil with blessing,
Be compassionate, humble,
As you live, as you walk…
 
Share God’s abundance,
Shun evil thoughts,
Live into the promise,
The love of Almighty God…
 
Love one another,
Be a beacon of light,
Live into your calling,
Your purpose for God…
 
--------------
June 27, 2024
repay evil with blessing
 
Based on 1 Peter 3:7-12
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, trust, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #trust #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

Let heaven fill your thoughts – v3

Let heaven fill your thoughts,
the Lamb seated upon His throne,
Set your sights on Jesus,
the perfecter of our faith…
 
Set your sights on Jesus,
on your future home in heaven,
Conform your steps, your life,
to the ways of the risen Christ…
 
Let heaven fill your thoughts,
reject every evil desire,
Set your sights on Jesus,
the perfecter of our faith…
 
--------------  
Edited June 27, 2024
Let heaven fill your thoughts – v3
 
June 26, 2024
Focus on the Divine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/focus-on-divine.html  
June 26, 2024
Rid yourself of evil
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/rid-yourself-of-evil.html
Edited June 20, 2024
Let heaven fill your thoughts – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/let-heaven-fill-your-thoughts-v2.html
Edited June 20, 2024
Set your mind on Christ – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/set-your-mind-on-christ-v2.html
Based on Colossians 3:1-10
Hebrews 12:1-3
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com ) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #calling #purpose

Facts become truth – v2

Facts become truth,
Truth becomes knowledge,
Knowledge becomes wisdom,
Wisdom informs actions,
Actions lead us forward,
Into our calling, our purpose,
To walk on right paths…
 
Facts are essential,
Truth important above all else,
Knowledge becomes wisdom,
And wisdom is power,
Power to overcome, to persevere,
Actions guide our steps forward
To walk on right paths…

==============
Edited June 27, 2024
Facts become truth – v2
 
June 27, 2024
Facts become truth
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/facts-become-truth.html
Edited June 26, 2024
A handful of coins – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-handful-of-coins-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
------------------
Poetry, God, Spirit, nature, writing,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #nature

Facts become truth

Facts become truth,
Truth becomes knowledge,
Knowledge becomes wisdom,
Wisdom informs actions,
Actions lead us forward,
To walk on right paths…
 
Facts are essential,
Truth above all else,
Knowledge becomes wisdom,
For wisdom is power,
Actions lead us forward
To walk on right paths…

==============
June 27, 2024
Facts become truth
 
Edited June 26, 2024
A handful of coins – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-handful-of-coins-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
------------------
Poetry, God, Spirit, nature, writing,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #nature

The pain on her face – v3

Seeing her little Star of David,
words in Hebrew, of love,
hanging around her neck,
anxiety imprinted on her face
asking her about this weekend,
terror in the Promised Land…
 
The pain on her face, searing,
palpable, so telling, present,
pausing to collect herself,
her one word "horrific", so correct,
bleeding from her lips, a prayer,
knowing there is more to come…
 
Sharing our faiths, our beliefs,
our collective humanity, pain,
all children of the same Father,
the one Creator, different sheep,
sharing the same story, the law,
all thinking about this present terror…

===============
Edited June 26, 2024
The pain on her face – v3
 
Edited October 9, 2023
The pain on her face – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-pain-on-her-face-v2.html
About a 70-year-old customer at Dollar General who said she has worn a
necklace with a little gold Star of David for 60 years; conversation a less than two days
after the international horror about the attack by Hamas on Israel October 7, 2023.
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, pray, Pray for Israel, diaspora, war, Hamas, terror, Christian, Jew,
 
#poetry #Pray #PrayforIsrael #diaspora #war #Hamas #terror #Christian #Jew,

A handful of coins – v3

A handful of coins,
pieces of treasure,
gathered, held tightly,
to cherish, to hold...
 
A handful of coins,
clipped pieces of the dollar,
pulled from the seashore,
to treasure, to hold…
 
A handful of coins,
an image forever,
frozen in time,
in reverence, to hold…
 
A handful of coins,
talisman, worry stones,
years of my life,
to treasure, to hold…

==============
Edited June 26, 2024
A handful of coins – v3
 
Edited April 27, 2024
A handful of coins – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-handful-of-coins-v2.html
April 26, 2024
A handful of coins
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-handful-of-coins.html
Edited April 9, 2024
Touched by the water – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/touched-by-water-v4.html
Edited April 9, 2024
Touched by these waters
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/touched-by-these-waters.html
Edited April 9, 2024
Before the light fails – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/before-light-fails-v2.html
Edited March 27, 2024
Brushstrokes thrusting upward – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/brushstrokes-thrusting-upward-v2.html
March 27, 2024
From earth to starlight
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/from-earth-to-starlight.html
March 27, 2024
The radiant sunrise
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-radiant-sunrise.html
Edited March 27, 2024
Held in two dimensions no longer – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/held-in-two-dimensions-no-longer-v2.html
Edited March 27, 2024
Power in the spray – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/power-in-spray-v2.html
March 27, 2024
Power in the spray
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/power-in-spray.html
March 25, 2024
Returning to the sea, to the water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/returning-to-sea-to-water.html
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1772358457091399887
Edited March 23, 2024
A hiss, a sizzle, over the sand – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-hiss-sizzle-over-sand-v4.html
https://www.facebook.com/792593002/videos/630421232183869/
Edited March 22, 2024
Focusing on one wave – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/focusing-on-one-wave-v4.html
Edited March 22, 2024
Almost silent over the sand – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/almost-silent-over-sand-v8.html
Edited June 30, 2023
Ascending, Emerging, Igniting – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/06/ascending-emerging-igniting-v5.html
Edited January 21, 2024
touching wet sand – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/01/touching-wet-sand-v5.html
edited October 23, 2021
The Dance of the Pelicans – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-dance-of-pelicans-v5.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
------------------
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, poetry community, beach, sand, light, water, wind, earth, fire, air, sky, wood, metal, elements, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, nature,
 
#poetry #poetrycommunity #beach #sand #writerslift #Spirit #light #water #earth #fire #wind #air #sky #wood #metal #elements #StAugustine #FL #wave #ocean #sea #land #shells #StAugustineBeach #God #Christ #Nature #beach #love #grace

Focus on the Divine

Focus on the Divine,
On the ways of heaven,
Look up to God,
Seated on His throne…
 
Turn from the flesh,
The ways of evil,
Cleave to Christ,
Our Savior, Redeemer…
 
--------------  
June 26, 2024
Focus on the Divine
 
June 26, 2024
Rid yourself of evil
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/rid-yourself-of-evil.html
Edited June 20, 2024
Let heaven fill your thoughts – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/let-heaven-fill-your-thoughts-v2.html
Edited June 20, 2024
Set your mind on Christ – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/set-your-mind-on-christ-v2.html
Based on #Colossians3:1-10
Hebrews 12:1-3
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com ) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace 

Rid yourself of evil

Rid yourself of evil,
every thought, every action,
Turn away from the flesh,
its desires, its passions…
 
Set your sights on God,
on life in our risen Lord Jesus,
Conform your steps to your calling,
to the eternal ways of heaven…
 
--------------  
June 26, 2024
Rid yourself of evil
 
Edited June 20, 2024
Let heaven fill your thoughts – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/let-heaven-fill-your-thoughts-v2.html
Edited June 20, 2024
Set your mind on Christ – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/set-your-mind-on-christ-v2.html
Based on Colossians 3:1-10
Hebrews 12:1-3
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com ) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #calling #purpose

In this silence, in these moments – v2

In this silence, in these moments,
we must listen to our own breathing,
finding peace in each moment,
in whatever we are facing,
finding a place of peace,
a moment of rest, stillness,
We must center within ourselves,
hearing our every breath…
 
In this silence, in these moments,
we must stay centered, balanced,
grounded in each season, on the path,
focused on this present, here and now,
Breathing, seeing, stilling our spirits,
against the chaos, all other voices
seeking to draw our attention
to separate us from ourselves…
 
In this silence, in these moments,
we must live in this moment,
present in the present, this now,
within our own skin, our bodies,
our living flesh, listening to the rhythms,
to our own heartbeats, our pulse,
Sounds of our own breathing,
focusing on nothing else...
 
In this silence, in these moments,
we must not seek grandeur, outsized
calling or purpose, focus on the small,
our own center, our living, breathing,
each moment, every step before us,
Grounded in our moments, present,
living in this present, this journey,
for the sake of ourselves…
 
--------------  
Edited June 25, 2024
In this silence, in these moments
 
Edited June 25, 2024
Within our own skin – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/within-our-own-skin-v3.html
“We do not exist for the sake of something else.
We exist for the sake of ourselves.”
Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:
Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, calling, purpose, Zen, Shunryu Suzuki,
 
#poetry #God #calling #purpose #Zen #ShunryuSuzuki

Within our own skin – v3

We must stay centered, balanced,
grounded in each season, on the path,
focused on this present, here and now,
Breathing, seeing, stilling our spirits,
against the chaos, all other voices
seeking to draw our attention
to separate us from ourselves…
 
We must live in this moment,
present in the present, this now,
within our own skin, our bodies,
our living flesh, listening to the rhythms,
to our own heartbeats, our pulse,
Sounds of our own breathing,
focusing on nothing else...
 
We must not seek grandeur, outsized
calling or purpose, focus on the small,
our own center, our living, breathing,
each moment, every step before us,
Grounded in our moments, present,
living in this present, this journey,
for the sake of ourselves…
 
--------------  
Edited June 25, 2024
Within our own skin – v3
 
“We do not exist for the sake of something else.
We exist for the sake of ourselves.”
Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:
Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, calling, purpose, Zen, Shunryu Suzuki,
 
#poetry #God #calling #purpose #Zen #ShunryuSuzuki

In the silence, in these moments

In the silence, in these moments,
Listening to our own breathing,
Finding peace in each second,
In whatever we are facing,
Finding a place of peace,
A moment of rest, stillness,
Centering within ourselves,
Hearing every breath…
 
--------------  
June 25, 2024
In this silence, in these moments
 
Edited June 25, 2024
Within our own skin – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/within-our-own-skin-v2.html
“We do not exist for the sake of something else.
We exist for the sake of ourselves.”
Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:
Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, calling, purpose, Zen, Shunryu Suzuki,
 
#poetry #God #calling #purpose #Zen #ShunryuSuzuki

Within our own skin – v2

We must stay centered, balanced,
focused on this present, here and now,
Breathing, seeing, stilling our spirits,
against the chaos, all other voices
seeking to draw our attention
to separate us from ourselves…
 
Living in this moment,
within our own skin, our bodies,
our living flesh, listening to the rhythms,
to our own heartbeats, our pulse,
Sounds of our own breathing,
focusing on nothing else...
 
Not seeking grandeur, outsized
calling or purpose, focusing on the small,
our own center, our living, breathing,
Grounded in our moments, present,
living in this present, this journey,
for the sake of ourselves…
 
--------------  
Edited June 25, 2024
Within our own skin – v2
 
“We do not exist for the sake of something else.
We exist for the sake of ourselves.”
Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:
Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, calling, purpose, Zen, Shunryu Suzuki,
 
#poetry #God #calling #purpose #Zen #ShunryuSuzuki

Keeping our lives in perspective

Keeping our lives in perspective,
in the scale of the universe, in time,
the enormity of God and our truth,
the smallness of man, mortal,
our place in this world…
 
We focus on our cares, our worries,
the struggles, the storms we face,
We cannot always see God,
His hand on creation, His touch,
but that doesn’t mean God is not there…
 
Keeping our lives in perspective,
looking at God’s power, His faithfulness,
God sees us in our trials, in our struggles,
God gives strength to the weary,
We must hope ever in the Lord…
 
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Edited June 25, 2024
Keeping things in perspective – v2
 
Edited June 25, 2024
a bit of peace – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-bit-of-peace-v2.html
Based on #Isaiah40:18–31
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

a bit of peace – v2

A bit of peace, perspective,
as we read words of scripture,
while we are but dust God,
who is enormous/immense/infinite
loves us, watches over us,
protects us, strengthens us
God is within us on our journey,
throughout our days, our lives…
 
God knows us completely,
God steels us for our race,
We may falter, me may struggle,
yes, we are but dust, mortal,
and God is eternal, the Creator,
God reaches down and heals us,
God strengthens us for the journey,
every step of our lives…
 
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Edited June 25, 2024
a bit of peace – v2
 
June 24, 2024
Keeping things in perspective
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/keeping-things-in-perspective.html
Edited June 24, 2024
The God we serve – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-god-we-serve-v3.html
Based on Isaiah 40:18–31
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, calling, purpose, Isaiah 40,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #prayer #calling #purpose

Making 1945 Happen - v2

They have been holding terror at bay,
within strict constructs, unfairly,
repeating this observation, 1938,
successful at pausing the advance,
but terror and genocide are on the march
because history needs to be remembered,
we have been given the gift, time,
extending 1938 for over two long years,
but at such an awful cost to them...
 
A war of great powers, different ideologies,
making a people a proxy, an agent-state,
while they stand on the margin, complicit,
waiting to see the costs, keeping a distance,
keeping their powder dry, fingers in the air,
seeing where the wind blows, the kilometers,
the cost in human lives, destruction,
terror rampant, seeing caution, war fatigue,
a people despairing toward 1939…
 
Some would argue we are again in 1938,
that Ukraine is like Czechoslovakia,
that Russia is the new Germany,
that Europe is the same position,
that they have held terror at bay,
by will, by resolve, in solidarity,
that they have extended 1938,
yet 1939 is knocking, urgent,
wider war may be at hand…
 
We need a radical revision,
urgent resetting of the table,
a D-Day invasion of thought,
to lead to a different outcome,
resolve to making 1945 happen,
from Victory, a just peace will rise,
We cannot afford the next four years,
the horrors of those years in Europe,
the carnage, the utter devastation…
 
Victory is more urgent in these times
under the shadow of the bomb…
and, no, leaders, this is not 1961,
not the Berlin Wall or missiles in Cuba,
The choices you make in this moment
will last a generation or more…
Victory for them, this people,
will be victory for us,
from that a just peace will rise…
 
===================
Edited June 24, 2024
Making 1945 Happen – v2
 
Merged June 24, 2024
Extending 1938 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/extending-1938-v2.html
June 24, 2024
Making 1945 happen
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/making-1945-happen.html
companion poem to Extending 1938
June 24, 2024
Extending 1938
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/extending-1938.html
Watched June 24, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/live/PcFUnybWftM?t=195s  
Keeping Up Support to Ukraine – Defining as Long as It Takes? ·
Lennart Meri Conference 2024
Streamed live on May 18, 2024
quote of Timothy Snyder, Levin Professor of History and Global Affairs
at Yale University, about the war in Ukraine is analogous to the
choices made by great powers about the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, US, NATO, EU, proxy, terror, genocide, Tim Snyder,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #US #NATO #EU #proxy #terror #genocide #TimSnyder