They chose the #darkness – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

The Light stood among them,
offering them salvation,
But they chose the darkness
believing the lies of the flesh...
 
God stood with them,
the long-prayed-for Messiah;
Christ spoke plainly,
proclaiming who He is...
 
They believed the stories
judgment ripe within them...
They rejected Christ Jesus
standing in their midst...
 
They chose the darkness
denying the Messiah,
They saw Love as blasphemy,
leading to the cross...
 
-----
Edited March 9, 2026
They chose the darkness – v2
 
Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8
 
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, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews
 

#spitting a #curse #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews #Word #scripture #identity #bastard

spitting a curse
calling Christ a bastard
calling the light darkness
when the Word was alive
standing before them
in the courts of the Temple
proving the scripture
was revealed in Him...
 
challenging Christ
The exchange became heated
They picked up stones
to kill the Son of God...
Speaking plainly His identity,
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
Giving no quarter, no refuge,
Their lies, their blasphemy...
 
-----
March 6, 2026
spitting a curse
 
Based on John 8:41b
Based on John 8:58-59
Based on John 8:19-59
Edited/ rewrite/ new name March 6, 2026
In the presence of light
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/in-presence-of-light.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18:1-7
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/they-chose-darkness.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8:1-59
 
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, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews, Word, scripture, identity, bastard,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews #Word #scripture #identity #bastard

in the #presence of #light #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

as the beginning was written,
Christ’s story unfolding,
God himself, light,
entered this world...
 
in the presence of light
God speaking to them,
They chose the darkness,
leading others to destruction...
 
Light stood among them,
offering them salvation,
But they mocked the truth,
believing the lies of the flesh...
 
God stood in the courts of the Temple,
the long-prayed-for Messiah...
Christ spoke plainly,
stating who He is...
 
They believed the lies of Satan,
judgment ripe within them...
They rejected Christ Jesus
standing in their midst...
 
-----
Edited/ rewrite/ new name March 6, 2026
In the presence of light
 
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18:1-7
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/they-chose-darkness.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8:1-59
 
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, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

They chose the #darkness #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Light stood among them,
offering them salvation
But they chose the darkness
believing the lies of the flesh...
 
God stood with them,
the long-prayed-for Messiah.
Christ spoke plainly,
stating who He is...
 
They believed the stories
judgment ripe within them...
They rejected Christ Jesus
standing in their midst...
 
-----
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness

Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8
 
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, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews
 

Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Dropping Stones...

Aware of their sins, their condemnation,
not fulfilling the Law of Moses...
Aware of His birth, His history,
denying the Messiah before them...
 
Dropping stones, picking up stones,
standing defiant, in judgment...
Arguing His identity with God,
forgetting the lessons of Job...
 
In the presence of light,
They chose darkness, the flesh,
the lies they puffed up before Him,
denying every Word He spoke...
 
Foolishly debating God,
leading others to damnation...
Called out directly in the Temple courts,
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”

Picking up stones... 
 
-----
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
 
Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 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, 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, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Dropping stones, picking up stones #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews

Aware of their sins, their condemnation
not fulfilling the Law of Moses
Aware of his birth, his history,
denying the Messiah before them...
 
Dropping stones, picking up stones,
standing defiant, in judgment,
Arguing His identity with God
forgetting the lessons of Job...
 
In the presence of light,
They chose darkness, the flesh,
the certainty they puffed up before them,
denying the Word He spoke...
 
Foolishly debating God,
Leading others to damnation,
Called out directly in the Temple courts,
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
 
-----
March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones
 
Based on John 8
Based on John 1
Based on John 3
Based on Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 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, 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, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews 

When We Come – v4

When we come

on our knees, to the rail,

petitions, prayers to God

not understanding

asking why, how

Humbly coming

on our knees, to the rail,

because we are of clay

the stuff of the earth

made by God’s loving hands

Not worthy on our own

by our works made right

coming because of the Christ

on our knees, to the rail,

to Christ who living and died for us

Saved only by grace

the love of God for man

we come on our knees, to testify,

not by our piety, our works

only by the blood of the lamb

Edited November 2, 2013

When We Come – v4

Edited September 28, 2013

When We Come – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/when-we-come-v2.html

May 29, 2010

When We Come

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/when-we-come.html

struggling with questions of life and death

the book of Job, prayer, the nature of

righteousness and God’s timing

&

reading the first part of

the book of Job, including

Job 1:1-5:16

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010

Job 1:21

Job 2:10

and

Job 5:17-8:22

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010

and

Job 9:1-12:12

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010

and

Job 12:13-16:10 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010

and

Job 16:11-20:11 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010

and

Job 20:12 – 24:12

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010

and

Job 24:13-29:13

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010

and

the later part of the Book, and

the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and

“His Comeuppance”, posted

to www.christianpoetry.org  5/26/2010,

&

both based in part on

October 18, 2009

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

&

Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b

Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5

and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

October 18, 2009

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,300+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

When We Come – v3

When we come, open

petitions, prayers to God

not understanding

asking why, how

for God’s mercy

Humbly coming

on our knees

because we are of clay

the stuff of the earth

made by God’s loving hands

Not worthy on our own

by our works made right

no, never enough,

coming because of the Christ

who living and died for us

Saved only by grace

by the sacrifice of Christ

the love of God for man

not by our piety, our works

only by the blood of the lamb

Edited October 11, 2013

When We Come – v3

Edited September 28, 2013

When We Come – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/when-we-come-v2.html

May 29, 2010

When We Come

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/when-we-come.html

struggling with questions of life and death

the book of Job, prayer, the nature of

righteousness and God’s timing

&

reading the first part of

the book of Job, including

Job 1:1-5:16

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010

Job 1:21

Job 2:10

and

Job 5:17-8:22

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010

and

Job 9:1-12:12

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010

and

Job 12:13-16:10 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010

and

Job 16:11-20:11 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010

and

Job 20:12 – 24:12

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010

and

Job 24:13-29:13

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010

and

the later part of the Book, and

the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and

“His Comeuppance”, posted

to www.christianpoetry.org  5/26/2010,

&

both based in part on

October 18, 2009

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

&

Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b

Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5

and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

October 18, 2009

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 25,930+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

When We Come – v2

When we come

petitions, prayers to God

not understanding

asking why, how

Humbly coming

because we are of clay

the stuff of the earth

made by God’s loving hands

Not worthy on our own

by our works made right

coming because of the Christ

who living and died for us

Saved only by grace

the love of God for man

not by our piety, our works

only by the blood of the lamb

Edited September 28, 2013

When We Come – v2

May 29, 2010

When We Come

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/when-we-come.html

struggling with questions of life and death

the book of Job, prayer, the nature of

righteousness and God’s timing

&

reading the first part of

the book of Job, including

Job 1:1-5:16

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010

Job 1:21

Job 2:10

and

Job 5:17-8:22

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010

and

Job 9:1-12:12

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010

and

Job 12:13-16:10 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010

and

Job 16:11-20:11 

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010

and

Job 20:12 – 24:12

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010

and

Job 24:13-29:13

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS

Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study

for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010

and

the later part of the Book, and

the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and

“His Comeuppance”, posted

to www.christianpoetry.org  5/26/2010,

&

both based in part on

October 18, 2009

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

&

Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b

Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5

and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,

by Pastor Ruth L. Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

October 18, 2009

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Righteous in his own eyes

Maybe this is the best summary
the sin that Job carried
righteous in his own eyes -
by his works he was worthy

No understanding of the divine
calling God into the square
believing himself able
to answer the charges of God

Blameless in his own mind
knocking over straw dogs
setting out a list of sins
and denying they apply

Claiming the good of his life
the work of his own hands
over and over again his words
beginning with “I”, speaking
as if he were God


May 30, 2010
struggling with questions of life and death
the book of Job, prayer, the nature of
righteousness and God’s timing

Job 24:13-29:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010
and
Job 29:14-32:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 30, 2010, read May 30, 2010

& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and
Job 9:1-12:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010
and
Job 12:13-16:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010
and
Job 16:11-20:11
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010
and
Job 20:12 – 24:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010


and the later part of the Book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to www.christianpoetry.org 5/26/2010,
both based in part on

October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,730+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

When We Come

When we come
petitions, prayers to God
not understanding
asking why

Humbly coming
because we are of clay
the stuff of the earth
made by his loving hands

Not worthy on our own
by our works made right
coming because of the Christ
who living and died for us

Saved only by grace
the love of God for man
not by our piety
only by the blood of the lamb


May 29, 2010
struggling with questions of life and death
the book of Job, prayer, the nature of
righteousness and God’s timing

& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and
Job 9:1-12:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010
and
Job 12:13-16:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010
and
Job 16:11-20:11
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010
and
Job 20:12 – 24:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010
and
Job 24:13-29:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010


and the later part of the Book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to www.christianpoetry.org 5/26/2010,
both based in part on

October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,730+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Leaving to God to Judge

His story so familiar
in trying to live in piety
when we fall into the trap
of judging ourselves

Forgetting our feet of clay
our distance from God
trying to be wise on earth
to see our righteousness
worthy, before God

Instead, we should walk
more humbly on the earth
leaving to God to judge
our righteousness, our worth

Lucky, more than Job
able to see the example
the life of our risen savior
on earth as a servant
going to the cross for us

Walking more humbly
called to love our neighbor
following our shepherd
sharing his message
to the ends of the earth


May 29, 2010
struggling with questions of life and death
the book of Job, prayer, the nature of
righteousness and God’s timing

& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and
Job 9:1-12:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010
and
Job 12:13-16:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010
and
Job 16:11-20:11
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010
and
Job 20:12 – 24:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010
and
Job 24:13-29:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010


and the later part of the Book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to www.christianpoetry.org 5/26/2010,
both based in part on

October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,930+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Letting Others Judge

Not that he tried to live right
claiming his righteousness
not letting others be the judge
confidently assessing himself

In reading his story
the arguments with his friends
Job calling himself holy
the source of the things from God

Failing to truly be humble
a little too sure of himself
blessed only by God’s goodness
not by the works of his life


May 29, 2010
struggling with questions of life and death
the book of Job, prayer, the nature of
righteousness and God’s timing

& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and
Job 9:1-12:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010
and
Job 12:13-16:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010
and
Job 16:11-20:11
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010
and
Job 20:12 – 24:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010
and
Job 24:13-29:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010


and the later part of the Book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to www.christianpoetry.org 5/26/2010,
both based in part on

October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,740+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Too Confident

Calling himself righteous
a little too confident
that he was blessed
by his walk
not by the grace of God

The words of his arguments
setting himself a little higher
as if his feet weren’t of clay
measuring himself worthy
righteous before God


May 29, 2010
struggling with questions of life and death
the book of Job, prayer, the nature of
righteousness and God’s timing

& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and
Job 9:1-12:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010
and
Job 12:13-16:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010
and
Job 16:11-20:11
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010
and
Job 20:12 – 24:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010
and
Job 24:13-29:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 29, 2010, read May 29, 2010


and the later part of the Book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to www.christianpoetry.org 5/26/2010,
both based in part on

October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,820+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Not Pleading Our Case

Thinking about the words of his friends
arguing with Job about God
telling him to be humble
not to come before God
demanding an audience

Not pleading our case
trying to claim to be righteous
over and over again
when we are so humble
and he is the creator of all

Calling instead for his mercy
his grace to be poured out
unmerited love from our king
humbly accepting our trials
along with the gifts of God

For he is able to bring good
though we may not see this
working beyond our comprehension
healing us in God’s way
and making us whole in God’s time


May 28, 2010
struggling with questions of life and death
the book of Job, prayer, and God’s timing

& reading the first part of
the book of Job, including
Job 1:1-5:16
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 23, 2010, read May 24, 2010
Job 1:21
Job 2:10
and
Job 5:17-8:22
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 24, 2010, read May 25, 2010
and
Job 9:1-12:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 25, 2010, read May 26, 2010
and
Job 12:13-16:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 26, 2010, read May 27, 2010
and
Job 16:11-20:11
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 27, 2010, read May 27, 2010 and May 28, 2010
and
Job 20:12 – 24:12
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for May 28, 2010, read May 28, 2010

and the later part of the book, and
the following poems, “Answering the Clay” and
“His Comeuppance”, posted
to www.christianpoetry.org 5/26/2010,
both based in part on

October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,820+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Where Else Can We Turn

Nowhere but thee Lord
nowhere else to turn
in our struggles and trials
nowhere else to be restored

Needing your presence
walking beside of me
yoked to you my savior
let me walk humbly with thee

May 28, 2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

The Musings of Our Hearts

Hearing when words are unspoken
even when they will not come
God walking beside us
hearing the musings of our hearts

Able to hold and to guide us
redeeming us from our sin
his grace upon us
leading us, ever, still


May 28, 2010

Amazing Grace, sung by Wintley Phipps
“just the black notes”,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0
Amazing Grace - wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace
Amazing Grace – the movie
http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/
United Methodist Hymnal, #378, Amazing Grace
http://www.hymnsite.com/

&
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Isaiah 26:3
Romans 8:35-39
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:31


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Calling on His Strength

Not asking for strength
to push through the pain
the struggles of our day to day
the walk upon this earth

Not seeking the strength
that already was given
the reservoir in my spirit
to help me on my way

Calling on His strength
yoked by my side
able to walk only with him
through the shadows of this life


May 27, 2010
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Isaiah 26:3
Romans 8:35-39
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:31


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

we come to you on bended knees

we come to you on bended knees
more in our struggles than our joy
we come to you oh God
when we do not understand
when the world, our lives
are beyond our comprehension
when the trials are too much
tragedy unexpected, sudden
bringing us to the cross

help me to lean on you
that I would be yoked to you
conforming my steps to yours
doing your work
it is then that I feel closest
a sense of inner calm
in you alone am I able
to walk on this journey
to face the world around


May 27, 2010
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Isaiah 26:3
Romans 8:35-39
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:31


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Answers to Our Prayers

Not always what we ask for
sometimes incremental
other times saying no
(later we may understand)

As in all things,
God’s ways are not our ways
the answers to our prayers
are made in God’s own time

Mysteries that continue
beyond our comprehension
yet coming before the Lord
because he alone can answer

The deepest musings of our souls
sometimes when no words can come
our rock and our redeemer
we come to you on bended knees


May 27, 2010


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.