Eighty when I was eight

Sixty-five when dad turned twenty-one,
Eighty when I was eight,
My grandfather a regal presence,
A smile upon his face…
 
Life was simpler then,
His fedora in the closet,
Sitting in his presence
Sharing a meal on Sunday…
 
Driver for the Cookie-Lady,
Violets for the shut-ins,
Together they built a life,
One hundred and ten years ago…
 
----------------
April 12, 2024
Eighty when I was eight
 
&
edited January 21, 2016
Arthur – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/arthur-v2.html
posted February 25, 2004
writing 10/17/03 13:30 to 13:40
Edited 10/20/03, to change yankee to Puritan
Arthur
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/arthur.html
about my paternal grandfather
Arthur Leon Foss
(born 11/30/1888, died September 1978)
and his love of the Boston Red Sox
(written a year before their
2004 World Series Championship,
breaking a 84 year drought)
&
edited December 17, 2016
Open to Adoption – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/12/open-to-adoption-v3.html
merging edited to original and version 2
edited December 9, 2015
Open to Adoption – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/open-to-adoption-v2.html
July 15, 2006 23:00
Open to Adoption
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/open-to-adoption.html
About Ephesians 1:3-14 and
about the adoption at age 25 in 1913 of my grandfather,
Arthur Leon Foss by Georgiana Foss, matron of
the Faith Home orphanage in Lowell, MA.
Honoring her by taking the name he had always known.
Recognizing the consciousness of accepting
God’s offer of adoption, with its rewards and responsibilities.
&
Edited November 30, 2013
Jessie – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/11/jessie-v3.html
(editing original again)
May 12, 2013
Edited for Mother’s Day worship service
Jessie – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/05/jessie-v2.html
written 5/2/2001, posted to blog 2/12/2004
Jessie
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/jessie.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.
 
-----
bread, Faith, Family, flowers, friends, garden, gifts, hands, light, love, memories, morning glories, orange, poetry, senses, sight, smells, taste, voice,
 
#bread #Faith #God #Family #flowers #friends #garden #gifts #hands #light #love #memories #morningglories #orange #poetry #senses #sight #smells #taste #voice
----------
Faith, Family, hope, believe, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, religious poetry, Arthur Leon Foss, Boston Red Sox, Red Sox, World Series, Red Sox Nation, Babe Ruth, Yankees, New England,
 
#Faith #Family #hope #believe #NH #poetry #BostonRedSox #RedSox #WorldSeries #RedSoxNation #BabeRuth #Yankees #NewEngland
 
-------------
Poetry, adopted, adoption, creator, earth, Ephesians, Faith, Family, father, free will, gifts, God, hope, love, Lowell, mother, Faith Home, Georgianna Foss, Arthur L. Foss, Wright, Poetry Where You Live,
 
#poetry #adoption #adopted #Faith #Home #trust #Lowell #MA #God #love #FaithHome #GeorgiannaFoss #ArthurFoss #Wright
 

Open to Adoption – v3

Choosing to be adopted

ah, that is the key point

isn’t it, the important thing

the fact of choice

A different act, when it is

a purposeful step, choosing

whether in earthly terms

or accepting the offer

paid in full, fully,

one time for all, for everyone

by the Lamb, by our Lord Jesus

An adult has a choice,

the gift of free will

which path to choose in life;

a boldness in choosing

being open to adoption,

penitent and thankful,

by a loving mother or father.

===============

edited December 17, 2016

Open to Adoption – v3

merging edited to original and version 2

edited December 9, 2015

Open to Adoption – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/open-to-adoption-v2.html

July 15, 2006 23:00

Open to Adoption

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/open-to-adoption.html

About Ephesians 1:3-14 and

about the adoption at age 25 in 1913 of my grandfather,

Arthur Leon Foss by Georgiana Foss, matron of

the Faith Home orphanage in Lowell, MA.

Honoring her by taking the name he had always known.

Recognizing the consciousness of accepting

God’s offer of adoption, with its rewards and responsibilities.

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 42,570+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

adopted, adoption, creator, earth, Ephesians, Faith, Family, father, free will, gifts, God, hope, lamb, love, Lowell, mother, Faith Home, Georgianna Foss, Arthur L. Foss, Wright, Poetry Where You Live,

#adoption #adopted #Faith #Home #trust #Lowell #MA #God #love #FaithHome #GeorgiannaFoss #ArthurFoss #Wright

Open to Adoption – v2

Choosing to be adopted

ah, that is the key point

isn’t it, the essential fact

A different act, when it is

a purposeful step, choosing

whether in earthly terms

or accepting the offer

paid in full, finally,

one time for all

by the Lamb, by Jesus

An adult has a choice,

the gift of free will

which path to choose

a boldness in choosing

being open to adoption,

penitent and thankful,

by a loving mother or father.

===============

edited December 9, 2015

Open to Adoption – v2

July 15, 2006 23:00

Open to Adoption

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/open-to-adoption.html

About Ephesians 1:3-14 and

about the adoption at age 25 in 1913 of my grandfather,

Arthur Leon Foss by Georgiana Foss, matron of

the Faith Home orphanage in Lowell, MA.

Honoring her by taking the name he had always known.

Recognizing the consciousness of accepting

God’s offer of adoption, with its rewards and responsibilities.

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Sword – v2

A sword, such in the word of God

of the Spirit, living in each one of us

a weapon, an offensive weapon,

to be used to change the world

to go out, courage

wearing the armor of God

out in the world

A message of love, written on our hearts

made real, living through us

armor we need, to defend us from the world

the temptations, the assaults, the enemy

but the sword for battle, to bring the fight to them

this is our sword, our battle axe

the holy word of God

===

edited June 25, 2014

A Sword – v2

August 17, 2008

A Sword

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/sword.html

Ephesians 6:10-17

and Upper Room daily devotional for 8/17/08

http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=8&day=17&year=2008

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No Peace with Oppression – v2

We prayed that God would enable us

to make no peace with oppression

no appeasement to the easy way

for the way of the world

for our comfort, our past

no accommodation for evil

no matter where it lives

A calling to our nation

and to our congregation

for the love of Christ

the will of God for our lives

the reconciliation with our neighbors

to begin with equality, with love

no peace with those who oppress

Edited October 20, 2013

No Peace with Oppression – v2

May 24, 2009

No Peace with Oppression

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/no-peace-with-oppression.html

Unison Prayer

“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.

Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to

make no peace with oppression.

May we use our freedom with reverence, and

for the establishment of justice to the glory of

your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

The Epistle Reading

Ephesians 3:7-13

Gospel Reading

Mark 4:30-32

and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson

“God Has Big Plans For You”

Suncook United Methodist Church

May 24, 2009

Ascension Sunday

and the Sunday before Memorial Day

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 26,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Offer Joyful Service

Like children, unburdened
offer joyful service
in praise of the Lord
responding to, never earning
the gift of grace
No longer servants, instead children
brining our works as gifts
motivated by God’s love, agape
joyfully serving
offering ourselves
gifts freely given
gifts beyond measure
already received


September 21, 2009
Ephesians 2:1-10
and Upper Room Daily Devotional
for 9/21/09
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=21&year=2009
“Eager Efforts”, by Marvin Lindsay

Brought Near

From far away
brought near to God
into the one family
those of the law
and those called by Christ

By the blood of the lamb
all of us clean
our sickness healed
our lives made whole

Brought near to the throne
by the grace of God
by the gift of the savior
and the indwelling Spirit
guiding our walk
our steps in faith
ever neared to God


July 16, 2009 and July 19, 2009
Ephesians 2:11-16
and Upper Room Disciplines for 2009,
for July 16, 2009

In Christ

In Christ, in the person of Christ
the breach healed
all brought near
into one family
we are made children of God
no divisions, all made worthy
through the sacrifice
of our risen king


July 16, 2009 and July 19, 2009
Ephesians 2:11-16
and Upper Room Disciplines for 2009,
for July 16, 2009

Healing Divisions

Christ alone, by his humanness
by his sacrifice, by his blood
healing divisions, every chasm
between one another
between man and God
our lives redeemed,
our sins blotted out
our people, one body
in Christ alone


July 16, 2009 and July 19, 2009
Ephesians 2:11-16
and Upper Room Disciplines for 2009,
for July 16, 2009

Big Plans

through the gifts, given by God
big plans for our lives
the little mustard seed
more than enough
mighty trees come from these
so to the little seeds
the gifts planted in us
mighty deeds can come from these
in our lives, and more
in the lives we touch


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Gifts through the workings of his power

gifts he received, we each receive
through the workings of his power
through the loving grace of God, alone
we receive gifts of the spirit
a vessel made worthy, molded
by the hands of the potter
filled with the libation of the spirit
the example set by our brother, our savior
to pour out the good news, the holy message
of God’s limitless love, his pursuing us
his desire for communion and fellowship
a relationship with each of us
made whole by the love of the father
the sacrifice of the son
and the indwelling of the spirit
calling us back to Him


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Boldness before His Presence

Not like Job, calling our God
not to question; but to approach
his heavenly throne
a boldness of the saving we share
the loving reconciliation
the gift of grace which allows us
to come face to face with God
Boldly, as the apostle wrote,
so long ago, to the church in Ephesus
to go into God’s presence
with reverence and with confidence
because of the sacrifice of Christ


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

From a Tiny Seed

The parable, the story of the tiny mustard seed
from this small, small thing, greatness emerges
a tree, branches for shade, for shelter
beyond imagination, looking at it in the hand
a tiny seed, seemingly unable to do much

So are we to see the works of the spirit,
the little bits of witness, of ministry,
the small, seemingly insignificant acts
no one knows the fruit they will bear
what the tiny seeds of faith, of love

Unknown, what they will become
but spread them we must
in the name of the one who came
and is to come again
the one who taught this lesson so long ago


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

A Mustard Seed Planted

Small, little seeds, seeds planted
a mustard seed, planted with care
how it will grow
what fruits it will bear
unknown to the sower
to the one planting the seed
Not a mere agricultural tale;
a parable, a metaphor
of the ministry of the faithful
of the sharing of the good news of Christ
Planting in the soil of human hearts
to bear the fruit of either earthy will
of the rapturous beauty, the bounty
of lives suborned to God’s holy will


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

The Fertile Ground

Our children, the fertile ground
our lessons, our teachings
the mustard seeds
unpredicted futures;
but the planting daily
into the fertile soil
Even their baptism,
unremembered by them
a mustard seed, an act of faith
a trusting in the watering,
in the ultimate growth
a mighty tree, a living tribute
to God, who alone provides the growth
Planted without knowing that which will come
Planting nonetheless, ever
in the belief in the creator
He who made the garden
the earth and all that dwells in it
Planting mustard seeds in fertile ground
seeing what the gardener wills


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Only through His Power

The words of the apostle, an acknowledgement
of the miraculous gift, His saving and commission
all of his life’s work,
his ministry, a holy calling
only through the grace,
the work of God’s loving power
nothing he did, nothing we do
all shared for God’s holy purpose
to bring the world the riches of Christ
revealed in his life given for us
Only through his power
through the power of God
able to do beyond our wildest dreams
in God alone all things possible
the message of love to share


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

The Privilege of Sharing

In no way a burden
a joy, the mission of his life
a privilege of sharing
the message of God
of love, of His holy purpose
fulfilled, revealed
in the loving example
the triumphant story
the fulfillment of all promises
in the life of Christ
the word made flesh
What a joyous blessing
to share, with Paul,
this glorious news
to the end of the earth


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Establish Justice

Humbly walking with our God
acting as He would guide
in loving response to his saving grace
to use our might, our power
to establish justice
for your glory alone
to be worthy of the name
children of God
so we are to live,
so is to be our walk
humbly yoked to our brother
the living, risen Lord


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Freedom with Reverence

Humility, a humbleness with power
calling us, praying that we, that our nation
may use our freedom, our liberty, our might
our freedom with reverence, our calling
from the beginning of time
stewards of the world; but humans only,
far below the mind of God

Our prayer in remembrance of our dead,
of our saints who have gone before,
of those living and those yet to come
a call itself to servanthood
the awesome responsibility
not just the going on our own
turning to God, as the source of our strength


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

His Eternal Purpose

Since the very beginning
one eternal purpose
the goal of God, the creator
reconciliation, communion
relationship with a people
covenant, love
By works alone, by the law
we failed, our nature;
unable to seal the breach.
By the water, by the Spirit
by his precious blood alone
sacrifice, atonement, reconciled
by the grace of God alone
through the word made flesh
the risen, living Christ
there before the beginning
eternal, one with God
our hope is in Him.


May 21, 2009
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
for May 24, 2009,
Ascension Sunday
Suncook United Methodist Church