soften our hearts – v3

Our hard clay is shattered
into a million shards, pieces,
falling to the ground, scattered, lost…
We are gathered by the Father
when we surrender, transparent,
when we confess, when we repent,
when we give our lives to God…
 
Our shards, our lives, splintered,
who we are is gathered up…
Our broken pieces are put
back on the Potter’s wheel…
Reshape us, mold us, gently
soften our spirits, oh Father,
replace our hearts of stone…
 
Our clay is made willing, ready…
We are soft once again, open,
for God’s message, His calling…
We abide, we dwell, we live
within the vine, the yoke,
walking beside Jesus
conforming our steps…
 
Our hearts of stone are forgiven,
We are transformed, given
hearts of flesh, willing…
We give of ourselves,
as servants, witnesses,
willing disciples, going,
being Christ’s hands and feet…
 
------
Edited July 25, 2025
soften our hearts – v3
 
Based on #Galatians3:3
Based on #Ezekiel36:26
Based on #Isaiah64:8
Based on #Jeremiah18:1-6
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
July 24, 2025
conforming my steps
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/conforming-my-steps.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
July 24, 2025
His thoughts speak through me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/his-thoughts-speak-through-me.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
Edited July 23, 2025
I am but a branch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-am-but-branch-v2.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
 
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, and 2025. 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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Galatians 3, Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 64, Jeremiah 18, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #calling #purpose

soften our hearts – v2

Our hard clay is shattered
into a million shards, pieces,
fallen to the ground, scattered…
We are gathered by the Father
when we surrender,
when we confess, we repent,
when we give our lives to God…
 
Our shards, our lives,
who we are is gathered up,
our broken pieces are put
back on the Potter’s wheel…
Reshape us, mold us, gently
soften our spirits, oh Father,
replace our hearts of stone…
 
We are soft once again, open,
Our clay is made willing, ready,
for God’s message, His calling…
We abide, we dwell, we live
within the vine, the yoke,
walking beside Jesus
conforming our steps…
 
Our hearts of stone are forgiven,
We are transformed, given
hearts of flesh, willing…
We give of ourselves,
as servants, witnesses,
willing disciples, going,
being Christ’s hands and feet…
 
------
Edited July 25, 2025
soften our hearts – v2
 
Based on #Galatians3:3
Based on #Ezekiel36:26
Based on #Isaiah64:8
Based on #Jeremiah18:1-6
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
July 24, 2025
conforming my steps
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/conforming-my-steps.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
July 24, 2025
His thoughts speak through me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/his-thoughts-speak-through-me.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
Edited July 23, 2025
I am but a branch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-am-but-branch-v2.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor John Cruice
 
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, and 2025. 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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Galatians 3, Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 64, Jeremiah 18, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #calling #purpose

soften our hearts

our hard clay shattered
into a million shards
gathered by the Father
when we surrender,
when we confess, repent,
when we give our lives to God…
 
our shards, our lives,
our broken pieces, are put
back on the Potter’s wheel,
Reshape us, mold us,
soften our spirits, oh Father,
replace our hearts of stone…
 
soft once again, open,
to God’s message, His calling,
we are able to abide, to dwell,
within the vine, the yoke,
walking beside Jesus
conforming our steps…
 
our hearts of stone forgiven,
hearts of flesh, willing,
we give of ourselves,
as servants, witnesses,
willing disciples, going,
being Christ’s hands and feet…
 
------
Edited July 24, 2025
soften our hearts
 
Based on #Galatians3:3
Based on #Ezekiel36:26
Based on #Isaiah64:8
Based on #Jeremiah18:1-6
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
July 24, 2025
softening our hearts
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/softening-our-hearts.html
July 24, 2025
conforming my steps
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/conforming-my-steps.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
July 24, 2025
His thoughts speak through me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/his-thoughts-speak-through-me.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
Edited July 23, 2025
I am but a branch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-am-but-branch-v2.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
 
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, and 2025. 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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Galatians 3, Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 64, Jeremiah 18, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #calling #purpose

softening our hearts

hard clay shattered
into a million shards
gathered by the Father
when we surrender
when we give our lives to God…
 
our shards, our lives,
put back on the Potter’s wheel,
reshaping us, molding us,
softening our spirits,
replacing our hearts of stone…
 
soft once again, open,
to God’s message, His calling,
able to abide, to dwell,
within the vine, the yoke,
conforming our steps…
 
hearts of flesh, willing,
giving of ourselves,
as servants, witnesses,
willing disciples, going,
being Christ’s hands and feet…
 
------
July 24, 2025
softening our hearts
 
Based on #Galatians3:3
Based on #Ezekiel36:26
Based on #Isaiah64:8
Based on #Jeremiah18:1-6
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
July 24, 2025
conforming my steps
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/conforming-my-steps.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
July 24, 2025
His thoughts speak through me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/his-thoughts-speak-through-me.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
Edited July 23, 2025
I am but a branch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-am-but-branch-v2.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
teaching on Step 7, Follow, by Pastor Jon Cruice
July 21, 2025
the King of Glory
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-king-of-glory.html
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, 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, and 2025. 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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Galatians 3, Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 64, Jeremiah 18, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #prayer #calling #purpose

within his walls of salvation

Seeking to live
ever, always
within his walls of salvation
in the arms of his grace

Following your law
your call for our life
going the way of the cross
as did our brother the Christ


August 30, 2010 and September 1, 2010
Isaiah 60:18
Isaiah 60:10-65:25
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for August 21, 2010, read August 30, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Through the gates of praise

Through the gates of praise
the way of the Christ
coming to you oh Lord
because of your grace

Seeking you ever
all of our days
longing to be with you
in the journey of life

Singing praises
for the wonder of you
seeking to please you
in all that we do

August 30, 2010 and September 1, 2010
Isaiah 60:18
Isaiah 60:10-65:25
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for August 21, 2010, read August 30, 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 19,200+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Walls of Salvation

Into the arms of God
into his presence
into the city of his love
within his walls of salvation

Through the gates of praise
the way of Christ
coming to you oh Lord
because of your grace


August 30, 2010
Isaiah 60:18
Isaiah 60:10-65:25
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for August 21, 2010, read August 30, 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 19,200+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

What we can only anticipate

In imagery we cannot picture
God’s love overwhelming
nothing we have ever heard
more than we can comprehend
What we can only anticipate
the fullness of God’s promise
once we join him in glory
and see the truth of paradise


May 3, 2010
1 Corinthians 2:9
1 Corinthians 2:6-10
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Isaiah 64:4

Day 223, “The Unimaginable”,
in “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
read 5/3/2010


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

Waiting with Wonder

Waiting, with wonder
how they must have been
even in the struggles
the journey they were on
going to the home,
to Bethlehem town
wondering what God
had planned for them

Waiting, with wonder
so we are now
at the birth of the holy child
the life he would live
so that live he may give
for each one of us living and dead

Alive in the Lord, at the end of this coil
when our days here on earth are done
going to our reward, paid for by the Lord
to walk with our savior again
On the streets paved with gold
in the new Jerusalem
where crying and death are no more

All of this from, the birth of the babe
Christ come into the world
Born and swaddled, laid
in that manger bed,
watched by the animals
the shepherds, long, long ago

Waiting, in wonder
in our hearts and our lives
walking as followers of Christ
sharing his story, his message of love
so all may enter in
Choosing with us the way of the cross
to pick up and do our part
bringing God grace
his love for the world
to everyone we meet


November 7, 2009
on seeing someone searching on Google,
“"waiting with wonder" advent”,
and finding this poem to access my blog
November 7, 2009
----
The Advent Journey

Following the star,
we all, like them, following the star
the light, the Word
coming into the world
living with us, to be among us
a journey of waiting, with wonder
experiencing anew
that which they beheld
the star of his rising,
his bright birth star
Bringing that light
into the sanctuary, into our hearts
preparing ourselves, awake, on watch
for the babe in the manger
the king on the clouds
that is our Advent journey

November 30, 2008
Matthew 2:11
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Waiting Season

The season of Advent
the waiting season, out in the winter cold
spending time in community, in fellowship
in your adorned sanctuary, remembering
the star, the couple, called by the angels,
the stable, the manger, his lowly bed,
shepherds in the pasture, wise men studying the stars
all parts of the story, the beginning
the word become flesh
But the story of waiting is for another day
another moment yet to come
when the skies will darken and thunder roars
when the trumpets will sound heralding
the return of the king
to judge and to bring into the garner
the faithful, those on watch, those awake
prepared in this waiting season
for the reaping time

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Waiting - 2

Waiting, in our hearts, for our king
born in the manger, living in heaven
at the right hand of God
Waiting, in our lives, for our brother
the servant, the sacrifice
dying on the cross, rising to glory
Waiting, in our faith, for our savior
to return in triumph, at the trumpet’s call
to be ready, awake, on watch,
being Christ to the world
in the waiting, doing his work

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Anticipation

Anticipation, this Advent season
waiting, wondering, when will that time come
watching the calendar, for the coming of the babe
the gift of Christ’s birth, relived each year
waiting wonder, when will that time come
watching the signs, the changing of the days,
the coming of the King, in victory
at that time unknown, known only to God
waiting, expectantly, urgent, awake, doing his work,
on guard for that coming day, anticipation for the hour
when Christ comes in glory, to bring his people home

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Waiting Expectantly

Waiting expectantly, for the Christ child
the babe of Bethlehem, grown and risen
his first life on earth complete
Risen and living at the right hand
with the father in heaven
Waiting expectantly for this coming
not knowing the time of his return
Waiting, awake, watching for the signs
that which has been foretold
just as we watch for the signs in nature
so must we be mindful, watching
waiting expectantly for the king to come

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Expectantly Waiting

Expectantly waiting, for Christmas
for the Christ child, the songs, the hymns,
the pageant, the story, shepherds, angels,
wise men three, joining, coming together
around the lowly manger bed
Sharing these moments in family, in community
expectantly waiting in advent
remembering the story of our king

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Anticipation – acrostic

Angels sang of your coming
None can stand before you my king
Teach me to wait expectantly for your second coming
Immanuel, God with us, resting in a manger
Come let us behold him, Christ the King
I fall to my knees, preparing, watching, awake to the appointed hour
Prophets foretold of your holy birth
All of creation will sing praises to the king
Trumpets and thunder will herald your coming on the clouds
I Am returning to claim his children
Outer darkness for those who deny his majesty
Now is the time to prepare, to be ready for our God

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

A Journey of Waiting

Walking, reading, pondering, waiting
a journey of waiting, expectant, hopeful
of his miraculous birth, the story of his life
for his coming, to rescue the faithful
to bring us to our heavenly home
expectantly waiting for Christmas
waiting expectantly for his second coming
so is the journey of waiting
this advent and all year long

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Nativity Evolving

Over the days, the journey of Advent
the nativity evolving,
the scene coming into focus
beginning with the couple, expectant
alone, in the rented stable
away from family, from home
waiting, under his star, for a son,
foretold by angels, by prophets
Shepherds watching their sheep, expectant
on guard for predators, for robbers
awake for trouble, called by herald angels
to the babe newborn in the manger
Wise men, long before his birthing,
following a star, in the west,
leading them and their gifts
to his lowly bed
All of us, through the ages
drawn to the bed of the newborn king
our savior come into the world
to set us free

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Advent Journey

Following the star,
we all, like them, following the star
the light, the Word
coming into the world
living with us, to be among us
a journey of waiting, with wonder
experiencing anew
that which they beheld
the star of his rising,
his bright birth star
Bringing that light
into the sanctuary, into our hearts
preparing ourselves, awake, on watch
for the babe in the manger
the king on the clouds
that is our Advent journey

November 30, 2008
Matthew 2:11
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Mary and Joseph

The chosen pair, to be the parents
alone, in his ancestral home
journeying to Bethlehem
coming to this place, to the manger bed
the stable, all that was available
alone in that place, man and woman
Waiting, as we wait, them for his birth
we for his return, waiting expectantly
for the unknown future, prophesized
but as yet unknown, mysterious,
by faith alone prepared
on watch, awake, on guard
for the coming of the king
his parents, his disciples
all the people of the earth

November 30, 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church

Coming to this place

Coming to this place
to the sanctuary, the manger bed
a journey of Mary, of Joseph,
of the shepherds, the Magi,
of you, of me, all coming to this place
to see the king in the manger bed

written on November 30, 2008
on the November 29, 2008 Greening of the Church service,
on the November 30, 2008 service
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
and sermon, “Anticipation”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church