They did not keep us safe #poetry #God #regeneration #childhood #bullies #assault #sin #anger #fight #flight

They did not keep us safe
on the playground,
in that asphalt jungle…
We were at the mercy of them,
the bullies, our tormentors…
 
They failed all of us,
all the children in their care…
Our only choice to fight back
to stand up to the bullies,
the instruction of our parents…
 
Anger and scar tissue,
over the hurt unanswered,
unaddressed in healthy ways…
Limiting my vision, safety,
the struggle of fight or flight…

-----
January 19, 2026
They did not keep us safe
 
Adults at Abner Gibbs Elementary School
1965 - 1971
January 19, 2026
We are not alone
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/we-are-not-alone-poetry-god-christ.html
Based on Ecclesiastes 4:12
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 5, “You Are Not Alone.”
January 19, 2026
remove every barrier
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/remove-every-barrier.html
Based on 1 Peter 5:10
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 4, “Keep Coming Back.”
January 17, 2026
a life of freedom
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-life-of-freedom.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
January 17, 2026
release me from my response!
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/release-me-from-my-response.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
January 17, 2026
free for this day
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/free-for-this-day.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
edited January 16, 2026
For just today – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/for-just-today-v4.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
edited January 16, 2026
every single good thing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/every-single-good-thing-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 2, “God Loves You.”
January 15, 2026
mining deeper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/mining-deeper.html
re:generation, Groundwork, page 4
January 15, 2026
hurt and angry
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/hurt-and-angry.html
re:generation, 1^st and 2nd sentence of Groundwork, page 4
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, regeneration, childhood, bullies, assault, sin, anger, fight, flight,
 
#poetry #God #regeneration #childhood #bullies #assault #sin #anger #fight #flight

#Sing to Me, #KingDavid #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #sin #confess #repent #forgive #faith #regeneration #Psalm

Sing to me, King David,
Your song, your witness,
Sing to me your lament,
Your praises raised to God…
 
Sing to me, King David,
I feel you are close to me,
Share with me what God
has placed on your heart,
that I might join with you…
 
Raise your petitions to God,
Your confessions to our Savior,
Open your heart to me now,
So, I might share your witness…

-----
January 19, 2026
Sing to Me, King David
 
re:generation, Groundwork, page 4
January 19, 2026
We are not alone
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/we-are-not-alone-poetry-god-christ.html
Based on Ecclesiastes 4:12
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 5, “You Are Not Alone.”
January 17, 2026
a life of freedom
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-life-of-freedom.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
January 17, 2026
release me from my response!
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/release-me-from-my-response.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
January 15, 2026
mining deeper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/mining-deeper.html
re:generation, Groundwork, page 4
January 15, 2026
hurt and angry
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/hurt-and-angry.html
re:generation, 1^st and 2nd sentence of Groundwork, page 4
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, sin, confess, repent, forgive, faith, regeneration,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #sin #confess #repent #forgive #faith #regeneration

what would #Martin say – v3 #poem #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #dream #America #MLK #justice #BelovedCommunity #MartinLutherKingJr

What would Martin say
in this time, at this moment…
So much progress, so much pain
so much loss and sorrow…
Other marchers lost,
those who carried the banner
who fought the good fight for justice…
 
What would Martin say
So much of liberty stolen
in the haze of war and struggle
so many in the streets, marching,
fighting for justice, for supremacy…
So many who know better
staying silent in their comfort…
 
Yes, what would Martin say
So many years forward, history,
so many days of pain, of anguish
in the country, the streets…
So many yet yearning, longing,
for justice, for dignity…
So much more to do, to dare,
to fulfill his dream, our sacred dream…
 
------------------
edited January 19, 2026
what would Martin say – v3
 
January 16, 2021
what would Martin say
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/what-would-martin-say.html
92nd birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 16, 2021
the fragmentation of this moment
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-fragmentation-of-this-moment.html
edited January 9, 2021
an allegory, a metaphor - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/an-allegory-metaphor-v2.html
January 9, 2021
on the Mall before the Capitol
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/on-mall-before-capitol.html
January 9, 2021
on the plains of Megiddo
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/on-plains-of-megiddo.html
January 9, 2021
an allegory, a metaphor
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/an-allegory-metaphor.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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poem, poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, victory, America, Martin Luther King Jr, dream, justice,
 
#poem #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #dream #America #MLK #justice #BelovedCommunity

Repost: what would #MartinLutherKingJr say - v2 #poem #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #dream #America #MLK #justice #BelovedCommunity

what would Martin say
in this time, this moment,
so much progress, so much pain
so much loss and sorrow
other marchers lost
those who carried the banner
who fought the good fight for justice

what would Martin say
so much of liberty stolen
in the haze of war and struggle
so many in the streets, marching,
fighting for justice, for supremacy
so many who know better
staying silent in their comfort

yes, what would Martin say
so many year forward, history,
so many days of pain, of anguish
in the country, the streets,
so many yet yearning, longing,
for justice, for supremacy
so much more to do, to dare,
to fulfill his, our, sacred dream

------------------
edited January 16, 2021
what would Martin say - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/01/what-would-martin-say-v2.html

poem, poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, victory, America, Martin Luther King Jr, dream, justice,

#poem #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #dream #America #MLK #justice #BelovedCommunity

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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

We are not alone #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #sin #confess #repent #forgive #faith #regeneration

On our walk, on this journey,
through our struggles in life,
We are not alone,
We are not abandoned,
God walks with us, within us,
in every step we take…
 
Christ walked the path,
Christ makes a way for us,
through our struggle, our trial.
He has gone before us,
He will not forsake us,
God is with us in life…
 
We are not alone,
We are not abandoned,
We do not have to fear,
We can be at peace
For God is here with us
in every step we take…

-----
January 19, 2026
We are not alone
 
Based on Ecclesiastes 4:12
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 5, “You Are Not Alone.”
January 19, 2026
remove every barrier
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/remove-every-barrier.html
Based on 1 Peter 5:10
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 4, “Keep Coming Back.”
January 17, 2026
a life of freedom
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-life-of-freedom.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
January 17, 2026
release me from my response!
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/release-me-from-my-response.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
January 17, 2026
free for this day
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/free-for-this-day.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
edited January 16, 2026
For just today – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/for-just-today-v4.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours.”
edited January 16, 2026
every single good thing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/every-single-good-thing-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 2, “God Loves You.”
January 15, 2026
mining deeper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/mining-deeper.html
re:generation, Groundwork, page 4
January 15, 2026
hurt and angry
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/hurt-and-angry.html
re:generation, 1^st and 2nd sentence of Groundwork, page 4
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live. 
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, sin, confess, repent, forgive, faith, regeneration,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #sin #confess #repent #forgive #faith #regeneration

Where are the #Christians - v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #relationships #childlike #humility #love #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #EpsteinCoverup #MeTooMovement #children #innocents

Where are the Christians
our religious leaders, pastors…
Are they complicit, complacent,
Are they fearful, too afraid to speak…
Who is in the fight, standing with the victims,
marching, advocating, speaking out
for the survivors of his abuse…
 
Where are the Christians
the leaders of the faith
preaching to protect children,
standing with his victims
those seeking justice, finally…
The rich and powerful
getting away with rape…
 
Where are the Christians
the bishops, the disciples,
in the halls of power, in Congress,
from their pulpits on Sundays,
demanding truth, transparency…
Evil yet protected, silence,
even from in the grave…
 
Where are the Christians
our leaders in the vanguard
standing with the girls,
the Epstein survivors,
the women abused, silenced,
their innocence taken from them
by the rich and powerful…
 
-----------
January 19, 2026

I asked Google, "How many Christian leaders who endorsed Trump have spoken out about Epstein?"

And the answer was chilling...

"AI Overview

Based on information available up to late 2025, while an overwhelming majority of white evangelical leaders who endorsed Donald Trump have remained loyal and largely silent regarding his connections to the Jeffrey Epstein files, some have taken actions ranging from defense to cautious warnings. 

Here is a breakdown of how certain Christian leaders who endorsed Trump have handled the Epstein controversy:

Lance Wallnau (Influential NAR leader/Trump defender): Has been vocal in his defense of Trump regarding the Epstein issues. In July 2025, Wallnau told his followers he believed Trump was acting in the best interest of the country by not releasing the files, further suggesting that, for the MAGA-religious base, the Epstein affair was a "ruse" by opponents.

Tony Perkins (Family Research Council President): In November 2025, Perkins published an op-ed cautioning the Trump administration against a "cover-up" regarding the Epstein files, warning that such actions could hurt the administration politically, though this was framed as a concern over transparency rather than a direct condemnation of Trump.

General Evangelical Leaders: Many key evangelical leaders who previously formed Trump's advisory board have maintained a policy of silence or deflection, with some arguing that sexual allegations against Trump are irrelevant compared to his political accomplishments and judicial appointments. 

Key Trends in Reaction:

Unwavering Support: Most evangelical leaders have continued to support Trump despite the allegations.

Conspiracy Theories: Many in the MAGA-aligned evangelical camp have promoted the idea that the Epstein investigations are political attacks rather than legitimate concerns.

Rising Concern from Intellectuals: Some, such as Christianity Today, have called for the release of the files, but this is often in conflict with the views of the political leadership backing Trump. 

In summary, out of the major, public-facing Christian leaders who endorsed Trump, very few have spoken out critically on the Epstein issue; most have either stayed silent or defended him, with a rare exception urging transparency to avoid a "cover-up"."

Edited January 19, 2026
Where are the Christians – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/where-are-christians_19.html
Based on Matthew 18:1-9,
The Epstein Files and Epstein Coverup,
and sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
part of sermon series, “Relationships”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Edited January 19, 2026
Protect the children – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/protect-children-v2.html
Based on Matthew 18:1-9,
The Epstein Files and Epstein Coverup
January 13, 2026
adopt a mantle
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/adopt-mantle.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
January 13, 2026
the hiss of the serpent’s question
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-hiss-of-serpents-question.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
January 13, 2026
seeing God - 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/seeing-god-3.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
January 5, 2026
Show me the pearls
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/show-me-pearls.html
preparing for re:generation program, beginning January 12, 2026
trying to get to the deepest part of my root hurts
maybe more than 55 years old…
January 5, 2026
A lifetime of struggle
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-lifetime-of-struggle.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 1”
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, relationships, childlike, humility, love, Epstein, Epstein Files, Epstein Coverup, Me Too, children, innocents,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #relationships #childlike #humility #love #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #EpsteinCoverup #MeTooMovement #children #innocents

#Protect the #children – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #relationships #childlike #humility #love #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #EpsteinCoverup #MeTooMovement #children #innocents

We are failing Christ’s commandment,
We are ignoring their great evil
We are silent, timid,
when we are called by Jesus
to stand with them, to act…
 
We must protect the children,
innocent children, the victims,
The greatest in heaven
against this evil, this terror,
rape on this earth…
 
We fail these innocents,
The greatest in heaven,
allowing the rich and powerful
to destroy their childhood
their precious lives…
 
Where are the Christians?
Where are our leaders?
We are failing these children…
Epstein’s victims are
still crying out, Justice!…
 
-----------
Edited January 19, 2026
Protect the children – v2
 
Based on Matthew 18:1-9,
The Epstein Files and Epstein Coverup,
and sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
part of sermon series, “Relationships”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
January 13, 2026
Where are the Christians
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/where-are-christians.html
The Epstein Files and Epstein Coverup
January 13, 2026
adopt a mantle
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/adopt-mantle.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
January 13, 2026
the hiss of the serpent’s question
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-hiss-of-serpents-question.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
January 13, 2026
seeing God - 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/seeing-god-3.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 2”
January 5, 2026
Show me the pearls
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/show-me-pearls.html
preparing for re:generation program, beginning January 12, 2026
trying to get to the deepest part of my root hurts
maybe more than 55 years old…
January 5, 2026
A lifetime of struggle
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-lifetime-of-struggle.html
sermon, “Childlike Humility – 1”
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, relationships, childlike, humility, love, Epstein, Epstein Files, Epstein Coverup, Me Too, children, innocents,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #relationships #childlike #humility #love #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #EpsteinCoverup #MeTooMovement #children #innocents

remove every barrier #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #sin #confess #repent #forgive #faith #regeneration

be purposeful, intentional,
commit to God’s plan for your life…
remove every barrier, each hurdle,
every excuse, each impediment…
commit fully to what is before you,
God’s promise for healing,
daily walking with Him…
 
don’t be distracted,
don’t make excuses…
Be on time, present,
to the gift of this moment,
this season of grace…
honor this opportunity,
this divine appointment…
 
God has called you to Him,
He wants to walk with you…
Take the time He has given,
to enter conversation,
fellowship with God…
Come hopeful, expectant,
God will grant you peace…
-----
January 19, 2026
remove every barrier
 
Based on 1 Peter 5:10
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 4, “Keep Coming Back”
January 17, 2026
a life of freedom
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-life-of-freedom.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours”
January 17, 2026
release me from my response!
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/release-me-from-my-response.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours”
January 17, 2026
free for this day
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/free-for-this-day.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours”
edited January 16, 2026
For just today – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/for-just-today-v4.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 3, “Sober 24 Hours”
edited January 16, 2026
every single good thing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/every-single-good-thing-v2-poetry-god.html
re:generation, Groundwork, Week 1, Day 2, “God Loves You”
January 15, 2026
mining deeper
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/mining-deeper.html
re:generation, Groundwork, page 4
January 15, 2026
hurt and angry
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/hurt-and-angry.html
re:generation, 1^st and 2nd sentence of Groundwork, page 4
January 12, 2026
Your arrows are within me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/your-arrows-are-within-me.html
Based on Psalm 38:1-22
re:generation, First Large Group meeting
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, sin, confess, repent, forgive, faith, regeneration,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #sin #confess #repent #forgive #faith #regeneration