If we would just #listen – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law #trust #believe #faith #submission #prayer

our way would be straighter
our path would be easier
if we would just listen
if we walked each day
in the way God commands,
if we follow the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the Word God left us
if we would change
if we would follow
the way of Jesus,
the way of the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the Spirit speaking to us
if we would cleave to every word
breathed by our loving God...
Our way would be easier
if we trusted in God
if we trusted in Him alone...
 
------ 
Edited July 17, 2026
If we would just listen – v2
 
 
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, sin, sacrifice, atonement, Jesus, salvation, blood, cost, Law, believe, trust, faith, submission, prayer,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law #trust #believe #faith #submission #prayer

If we would just listen #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

our path would be easier
our way would be straighter
if we would just listen
if we walk each day
in the way God commands,
if we follow the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the word God left us
if we would change
if we would follow
the way of Jesus,
the way of the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the Spirit speaking to us
if we would cleave to every word
breathed by our God...
Our way would be easier
if we trusted in God...
 
------ 
July 16, 2026
If we would just listen
 
July 16, 2026
The cost was blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-cost-was-blood.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.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, sin, sacrifice, atonement, Jesus, salvation, blood, cost, Law,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

The #cost was #blood #Poetry #God #Christ #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

Their sacrifice for sin
The cost was blood
A life for a life
Because every sin
Is a death sentence
Estrangement from God...
 
Repeated, repeated,
Never enough
Until Christ came
To save us
Once and for all
For our eternal salvation
For the cost was His blood...
 
------ 
July 16, 2026
The cost was blood
 
The detailed listing of the Jewish sacrifice system
Leviticus 1-7
Leviticus 16
and other chapters in the Torah:
Burnt Offering
Grain Offering
Peace Offering
Sin (or Purification) Offering
Guilt (or Trespass) Offering
 
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, sin, sacrifice, atonement, Jesus, Christ, salvation, blood, cost, Law,

#Poetry #God #Christ #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

by that same measure - v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #John8 #judgment #forgiveness #mercy #grace #adultry #law

Ancient words of judgment
the Law of Moses...
Stones falling around her...
None standing righteous
all burdened with sin...
 
By the same measure
His words, written in the dust...
God is fully aware...
Their sins present, living,
filling their minds...
 
Focused on their own sin...
They left her with Jesus...
a sinner uncondemned
called to be righteous,
to turn from her past...
 
So too we stand condemned
as children of Adam
and by the sins we carry
But we do not have to fear
the judgment of others...
Jesus' hand sweeps the dust...
 
--------

Edited February 27, 2026

by that same measure – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/by-that-same-measure-v2.html

Based on John 7:53-8:11
Based on John 7
Based on John 8
Based on Matthew 7:1-5
Men’s Thursday Night Bible Study
North Hills Church
February 26, 2026
the babble of their words
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-babble-of-their-words.html
Based on #John7
Based on #John2:13-17
John 5:1-18
John 18:18
Genesis 11:7-9
Acts 2:4-11
Men’s Thursday Night Bible Study
North Hills Church
Edited February 13, 2026
a living testimony – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-living-testimony-v2.html
Based on #John5
Men’s Thursday Evening Bible Study
Edited January 24, 2026
Bring Your whip, Lord
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/bring-your-whip-lord.html
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
January 15, 2026
I have seen the Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/i-have-seen-christ.html
Based on John 1
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
 
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, John 7, John 8, judgment, forgiveness, mercy, grace, adultery, law,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #John8 #judgment #forgiveness #mercy #grace #adultry #law

The four corners of God’s love

Not for punishment, for judgement,
for harsh condemnation,
the Word written, the Law,
written to protect, to save us…
 
God reveals Himself,
the Love He has for us,
in the words of holy scripture,
in the instructions He gave to us…
 
The four corners of God’s love,
wider than the Law teaches,
the Word of God imparted…
written to heal, to save us…
 
-------------------
March 25, 2025
The four corners of God’s love
 
Based on #2Timothy3:16
Based on #2Peter1:21
Based on #Hebrews4:12
Based on #1John2:5
Based on #Psalm19:7
Based on #James1:21
Based on #Psalm119:9
Based on #Psalm1:1-3
Based on #Revelations22:18-19
Based on #Galatians1:9
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 5
March 25, 2025
God-breathed - 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/god-breathed-3.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 4
March 25, 2025
what of this is by our choices
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/what-of-this-is-by-our-choices.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 4
March 25, 2025
How did You make You
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/how-did-you-make-you.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 4
March 24, 2025
You are God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/you-are-god.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 3
Edited March 23, 2025
we will find Him – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/we-will-find-him-v2.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 2
March 23, 2025
we will find Him
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/we-will-find-him.html
March 21, 2025
Even the Devil believes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/even-devil-believes.html
Based on #James2:19
Based on James 2:17
Based on #Psalm37:3-4
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 1
March 21, 2025
Believing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/believing.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 1
March 21, 2025
Seek Me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/seek-me.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 1
March 21, 2025
God can restore us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/god-can-restore-us.html
re:generation, Week 9, Steps 1-3, Week 3, Step 2, Believe, Day 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, 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, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, Bible, Word, Logos, scripture, love, law, grace,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Bible #Word #Logos #scripture #love #law #grace

Life begins - v3

Life begins In a miracle, in a moment,

like the Big Bang, as if by magic,

in a twinkling, the world becomes larger,

two becoming one, joined together,

a new life, a new creation, a child, 

a spirit pulled from the guf

the treasury of souls singing,

a beautiful new thing begun…

Molded in our mother’s womb,

a new life, sacred treasure, 

a new creation, at conception,

a mother and a father, two bodies,

creating a new person, life,

a soul pulled from the guf,

life begins in a miracle, a twinkling,

a quickening of new flesh…

-------- 

Edited November 12, 2024

Life begins - v3

Edited November 11, 2024

Life begins – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/life-begins-v2.html

#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #prochoice #prolife #America #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Life begins – v2

Life begins In a miracle, in a moment,
in a twinkling, the world becomes larger,
two becoming one, together,
a new life, a new creation,
a spirit pulled from the guf
the treasury of souls singing,
a beautiful new thing begun…
 
Molded in our mother’s womb,
a new life, a new creation,
a mother and a father, two bodies,
creating a new person,
a soul pulled from the guf,
life begins in a miracle, a twinkling,
a quickening of new flesh…
 
--------
Edited November 11, 2024
Life begins – v2
 
November 11, 2024
Life begins
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/in-miracle-in-moment-world-becomes.html
Edited November 4, 2024
The Sanctity of Life – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-sanctity-of-life-v2.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #prochoice #prolife #America #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

#Life begins

In a miracle, in a moment,
the world becomes larger,
two becoming one, together,
a new life, a new creation,
a spirit pulled from the guf
the treasury of souls singing,
a new thing begun…
 
Molded in our mother’s womb,
a new life, a new creation,
a mother and a father, two bodies,
creating a new person,
a soul pulled from the guf,
life begins in a miracle, a twinkling,
a quickening of new flesh…
 
--------
November 11, 2024
Life begins
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/in-miracle-in-moment-world-becomes.html
Edited November 4, 2024
The Sanctity of Life – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-sanctity-of-life-v2.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #prochoice #prolife #America #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

The Sanctity of Life - v2

I will never trust the vessel,
an embodiment of evil,
the most unchristian man
that I have ever seen;
but I must ask, how can I
love God, and be a Christian,
when the sanctity of life, each life,
is held in the balance, this choice…
 
Every life is worthy, important,
a gift of the divine, the Creator,
at the moment of conception,
a soul pulled from the Guf,
called, commissioned,
created, molded, within
their mother’s womb,
waiting to be born…
 
With each ending, termination
before their beginning comes
a life unborn, cut down,
an unfulfilled calling,
an unmet purpose,
part of God’s plan, lost, cut down,
a choice made, free will,
but was it of God…
 
A hard place to stand, to anchor,
based on my own convictions, the law,
a struggle between God and free will,
a sense that I should not tell another,
the choices they should make,
pain they would suffer, autonomy,
if choice were taken from them
but grieving for the fate of innocent life…
 
Giving immense power, authority,
to one so utterly broken, bereft,
of any moral character, vile,
a fount of lies, of grievances,
so unlike our Savior, Christ,
so unworthy a leader, a liar,
the worst our country can offer,
how is he a protector of innocent life???
 
--------
Edited November 4, 2024
The Sanctity of Life – v2
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #pro-choice #pro-life #America #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

I weep for the unborn – v2

I weep for the unborn,
for innocent life taken,
I grieve for lives altered,
for the many lives lost,
cast into the abyss…
 
So much heart ache, so much pain,
a battle raging before the grave,
before the judgement seat,
wailing and gnashing,
of too many teeth…
 
Life, human life,
in the balance,
a crucible, in between
competing lives,
yet so much pain…
 
So much heart ache, so much pain,
a battle raging before the grave,
before the judgement seat,
wailing and gnashing,
of too many teeth…
 
--------
Edited November 3, 2024
I weep for the unborn
 
Written and posted October 8, 2024
The Sanctity of Life
Typed October 16, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-sanctity-of-life_24.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #prochoice #prolife #America #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

what if cancer - v2

each life precious
each life important,
in God’s plan,
what if cancer
was to be cured
by one dead unborn,
conceived in the womb,
but sent to the tomb,
never seeing the sun
never breathing air…
 
if our days are numbered,
our hairs known by God,
a plan before we are born,
couldn’t this be possible,
if we believe in His promises,
His sovereignty, His judgment,
as reasonable as random chance
a consequence of free will,
a burden of choices we make
before the hand of God…
 
----
Edited and posted October 9, 2024
what if cancer – v2
 
&
July 1, 2014
what if cancer
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-if-cancer.html
Daniel 9:1-15
&
Written and posted October 9, 2024
I weep for the unborn
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/i-weep-for-unborn_24.html
Written and posted October 8, 2024
The Sanctity of Life
Typed October 16, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-sanctity-of-life_24.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #prochoice #prolife #America #DonaldTrump #KamalaHarris #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

I weep for the unborn

I weep for the unborn,
for the innocent life taken,
I grieve for the lives, altered,
for the many lives lost,
cast into the abyss…
 
So much heart ache, so much pain,
a battle raging before the grave,
before the judgement seat,
a wailing and gnashing,
of too many teeth…
 
--------
Written and posted October 9, 2024
I weep for the unborn
 
Written and posted October 8, 2024
The Sanctity of Life
Typed October 16, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-sanctity-of-life_24.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #prochoice #prolife #America #DonaldTrump #KamalaHarris #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

The Sanctity of Life

I don’t trust the vessel,
an embodiment of evil,
the most unchristian man
that I ever have seen;
but how can I claim,
to love God, to be a Christian,
when the sanctity of life, each life,
is held in the balance…
 
Every life worthy, important,
a gift of the Creator,
at the moment of conception,
a soul pulled from the Guf,
called, commissioned,
created, molded, within
their mother’s womb,
waiting to be born…
 
With each ending, a termination
before their beginning
a life unborn, cut down,
an unfulfilled calling,
an unmet purpose,
part of God’s plan, lost, cut down,
a choice made, free will,
but not of God…
 
A hard place to stand, to anchor,
based on my own convictions, the law,
a struggle between God and free will,
a sense that I should not tell another,
the choices they should make,
the pain they would suffer
if choice were taken from them
but grieving for the fate of innocent life…
 
Giving immense power, authority,
to one so utterly broken, bereft,
of any moral character, vile,
a fount of lies, of grievances,
so unlike our Savior,
so unworthy a leader
the worst our country can offer,
the protector of innocent life…
 
--------
Written and posted October 8, 2024
The Sanctity of Life
Typed October 16, 2024
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, prayer, Christ, Spirit, abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, America, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Christian, law, government, body, autonomy, agency, life, conception, creation,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #Christ #Spirit #abortion #pro-choice #pro-life #America #DonaldTrump #KamalaHarris #Christian #law #government #body #autonomy #agency #life #conception #creation

what if cancer - v2

each life precious,

each life important, 

in God's plan, 

What if cancer

was to be cured

by one dead unborn,

conceived in the womb,

but sent to the tomb,

never seeing the sun,

never breathing air...

if our days are numbered,

our hairs known by God,

a plan before we are born,

couldn’t this be possible,

if we believe in His promises,

His sovereignty, His judgment,

as reasonable as random chance

a consequence of free will,

a burden of choices we make

before the hand of God...

---- 

Edited October 9, 2024 

what if cancer - v2

July 1, 2014

what if cancer

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-if-cancer.html 

Daniel 9:1-15

end times

- consequences for disobedience to God

- righteousness of God

- responsibility of God to punish

- free will

- America, abortion, death of human life

Jeremiah 25:11-12

Jeremiah 25

Psalm 139:16

Psalm 139:13-16

Jeremiah 29:11

Luke 12:7

Psalm 39:4

Job 14:5

and Men’s Bible Study

Patten, ME

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I weep for the unborn

I weep for the unborn 

#God #Faith #life #law #abortion #ProLife #ProChoice #America 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Family Secrets – Revised – v6

Little and big secrets, hidden,
silence, … not sharing, not honest,
words, stories not spoken,
from shame, for protection, maybe;
Blank spots, missing pieces, broken,
in the telling, retelling, the spaces,
unspoken, of our family’s history…
 
Carved off areas, blank spaces,
sometimes casually shared later
as if we knew, … forgetting the secrets,
the silence, the missing words
in real-time, in our living;
Names crossed from address books
pain pushed down, hidden…
 
Missing memories, omissions,
scraps of childhood, painful,
undiscussed, unspoken, silent,
in the fog of our history;
Moments casually blurted out
when there was no warning, no memory,
forgetting, … that the secrets were spoken…
 
=============
Edited August 22, 2024
Family Secrets – Revised – v6
 
edited September 13, 2018
Family Secrets – Revised – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/09/family-secrets-revised-v5.html
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1040356391414726656
edited November 12, 2017
Family Secrets – Revised – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/family-secrets-revised-v4.html
edited November 12, 2017
behind a mask – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/behind-mask-v2.html
November 11, 2017
behind a mask
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/behind-mask.html
the allegations in the news about
Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore
and a flood of memories and feelings
&
edited November 12, 2017
the smell of the smoke – 2 – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-smell-of-smoke-2-v4.html
edited June 6, 2015
the smell of the smoke – 2 – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.in/2015/06/the-smell-of-smoke-2-v3.html
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited May 29, 2015
the scorch of fire – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-scorch-of-fire-v2.html
edited May 23, 2015
the scorch of the fire
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-scorch-of-fire.html
edited May 22, 2015
the smell of the smoke – 2 – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-smell-of-smoke-2-v2.html
May 21, 2015
the smell of the smoke - 2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-smell-of-smoke.html
May 19, 2015 and May 20, 2015
Focus on the Family
https://twitter.com/FocusFamily
https://www.facebook.com/focusonthefamily
http://www.focusonthefamily.com
radio broadcasts
Helping Your Husband Overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/helping-your-husband-overcome-childhood-sexual-abuse-pt1
see transcript:
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/helping-your-husband-overcome-childhood-sexual-abuse-pt1#transcript
Helping Your Husband Overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse (Part 2 of 2)
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/helping-your-husband-overcome-childhood-sexual-abuse-pt2
With Guests Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe
https://www.facebook.com/gary.roe.79
https://twitter.com/GaryRoeAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cecil-Murphey/110181285701463
The piece that caught my attention was the statements about God placing hands on the side of the boy’s heart while being sexually abused.
Unlike the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:1-30, where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had no smell of smoke on them, victims of sexual abuse do have the smell of the smoke of that evil upon them, even as God was with them in the fire.
&
edited November 12, 2017
an unwanted touch – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/an-unwanted-touch-v2.html
August 20, 2014
an unwanted touch
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-unwanted-touch.html
Devozine for August 18, 2014 to August 24, 2014
www.devozine.org
“+sexual struggles”
&
Habakkuk 3:1 (GNT)
devotion: “Sexual Abuse”
national abuse hotline
1-800-656-4673
https://ohl.rainn.org/online/
devotion by Kerri Voegeli
https://www.facebook.com/kerri.voegeli
for August 19, 2014
read August 19, 2014
&
edited November 12, 2017
I can understand their anger – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/i-can-understand-their-anger-v2.html
November 18, 2011
I can understand their anger
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-can-understand-their-anger.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
A box around these memories – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-box-around-these-memories-v2.html
November 18, 2011
A box around these memories
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/box-around-these-memories.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
A Walled-off Place – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-walled-off-place-v2.html
November 18, 2011
A Walled-off Place
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/walled-off-place.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
Under the Veil of Silence – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/under-veil-of-silence-v3.html
November 18, 2011
Under the Veil of Silence – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-veil-of-silence-v2.html
November 18, 2011
Under the Veil of Silence
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-veil-of-silence.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
Open the Sealed Records – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/open-sealed-records-v2.html
November 18, 2011
Open the Sealed Records
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/open-sealed-records.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
On that Altar of Football – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/on-that-altar-of-football-v2.html
November 18, 2011
On that Altar of Football
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-that-altar-of-football.html
&
November 12, 2017
When we worship false God – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/when-we-worship-false-gods-v2.html
November 18, 2011
We worship false Gods
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-we-worship-false-gods.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
At the trough of their power – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/at-trough-of-their-power-v2.html
November 18, 2011
At the trough of their power
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/at-trough-of-their-power.html
Sandusky sexual abuse scandal
and re-victimizing the children
in hearing his defense and seeing him
on the sidelines of the Penn State football games
over and over again
and the same for all adult victims of sexual abuse
hearing these words and these images
and failure of Penn State to release all documents
regarding the scandal
&
edited November 12, 2017
For me, a stranger – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/for-me-stranger-v2.html
November 18, 2011
For me, a stranger
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-me-stranger.html
&
edited November 12, 2017
Family Secrets – Revised – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/family-secrets-revised-v4.html
edited January 10, 2016
Family Secrets – Revised – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/family-secrets-v3.html
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited September 2, 2015
Family Secrets – Revised – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/family-secrets-revised-v2.html
6/17/2004
Family Secrets - Revised
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/family-secrets.html
 
=================
Twitter post by President Trump 9/21/18
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1043126336473055235
“I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents. I ask that she bring those filings forward so that we can learn date, time, and place!”
Reply by me 9/21/18
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1043225279307632640
“This tweet shows you have no understanding of childhood sexual assault. I was merely touched inappropriately at 13 & it took 25 years to discuss it with loved ones. I don’t know if Dr. Ford’s allegations are true; but delayed reporting is a hallmark of this kind of abuse. #MeToo”
&
separate post 9/21/18
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1043255724686684160
“@realDonaldTrump tweet shows no understanding of sexual assault. I was merely touched inappropriately at 13. It took 25 years to discuss it with loved ones. I don’t know if Dr. Ford’s allegations are true; but delayed reporting is a hallmark of this abuse. #MeToo #WhyIDidntReport”
 
 
===========================
note added September 2, 2015
after Skype conversation with a High School class from North Carolina
 
I wrote it in 2001 (or 2000), and edited it in June 2004.
 
One of the things about the family secrets that led to this poem was a casual statement by mother about 1995, when I was 35 years old, I think it was either Thanksgiving or Christmas, that my father's brother had committed suicide about 6 months after his wife and my grandmother died in 1973. It was sort of surreal how it was stated. I was only 13 at that time in 1973. She just said like all of us had always known that. None of my sisters or brothers had ever heard that before either.
 
Another aspect was that, in 1976 when I was 16 years old, I was doing genealogy research and I discovered that my paternal grandfather who was born in 1888, had grown up in an orphanage and that he had been adopted as an adult in 1913 by the founder of the orphanage. I asked my father about it (he was 44 at the time) and he was totally surprised by this revelation. As far as I know he never asked his father about that.
 
Also, in 1973, the same year my grandmother died, I was touched inappropriately by a stranger on a bike path between my house and the bottle dump where I liked to go digging. It was over 25 years before I mentioned it to anyone.
 
 
 
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.
 
God, Spirit, Christ, faith, love, child abuse, assault, sex, power, touch, memory, secret, shame, sexual abuse, Roy Moore, Sandusky, law, children, justice, abuse,
 
#God #faith #love #grace #childabuse #sexual #assault #sex #power #touch #memory #history #mask #hidden #shame #sexualabuse #RoyMoore #Sandusky #law #PennState #children #justice #abuse #family #grooming #poetry #MeToo #secret #hidden #silence #fear #poem

Looking down at my hands – v8

These words of Christ Jesus,
to the ones challenging His piety,
His challenge to cast the first stone,
knowing only He was worthy,
the only One without sin,
choosing not to stand in judgment,
to stone her for adultery, her sin,
her blood in His hands…
 
Standing there, convicted,
with all of the others,
looking down at my hands,
unable to look in Christ’s face,
dropping my stone to the ground,
shame for my acts, my sin,
no longer standing in judgment,
her blood in my hands…
 
So aware of my shame, my sin,
my unworthiness to judge,
to condemn, to convict her,
to stand in His shoes,
to pretend I am God,
not made of earth, of clay,
not standing in judgment
her blood in my hands…
 
Turning, walking away,
leaving my stone behind me
so aware of my sin, not judging,
wanting no part of this,
wanting her to live,
not standing in judgment,
repenting of my own ways,
my blood in my hands…
 
-----------
Edited August 5, 2024
Looking down at my hands – v8
 
Edited August 5, 2024
Looking down at my hands – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/looking-down-at-my-hands-v7.html
edited March 2, 2014
Looking down at my hands – v6
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/looking-down-at-my-hands-v6.html
(editing original again)
Edited September 25, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v5.html
Edited September 19, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v4.html
Edited September 18, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v3.html
(editing original again)
Edited September 13, 2013
Looking down at my hands – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-down-at-my-hands-v3.html
June 13, 2011
Looking down at my hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-down-at-my-hands.html
&
Edited September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy-v2.html
new poem September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-secular-holy.html
https://www.facebook.com/StandWithFrank/posts/324730717671030
----
This poem is about my wife and me when we got married
in a civil service on December 17, 2004 in Concord, NH in White Park
and then before our church family at
Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH
http://www.concordwumc.org
on April 23, 2005.
----
We celebrate 2 anniversaries because they both mean a great
deal to us, in very different ways.
I grieve for those who are able to marry civilly in so many
states now, such as NH, but are unable to marry in their
United Methodists churches and for the clergy who are put on trial
for choosing to go against the Discipline to marry them.
&
trials of Rev. Frank Schaefer
http://www.unitedmethodistreporter.com/2013/09/rcm-another-clergy-member-facing-church-trial/
and Rev. Thomas Ogletree
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=13119911
and  Rev. Steve Heiss
http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/08/rev-steve-heiss-.html
&
Edited September 7, 2013
For Offering Love – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/for-offering-love-v2.html
June 22, 2011
For Offering Love
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-offering-love.html
&
Matthew 10:40-42
2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16
Psalm 13
Worship Theme: “All Are Welcome”
and sermon: “Ambassadors for God”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss 
Suncook United Methodist Church
June 26, 2011
Second Sunday in Pentecost
&
note of Cynthia Good
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000252694374
on Keith Olbermann Special Comment
http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/olbermannmarriage.html
and
Passage of gay marriage bill in New York last night
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/gay-marriage-vote-a-milestone-in-new-york/2011/06/24/AGTGZrjH_story.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews&fb_source=home_oneline
&
posting on my Facebook page
“my 'heart' sinks with your continued association with the United Methodist church. God's Word clearly says that the Lord’s command is no females are allowed to be leaders. 1 Cor. 14:33-38; 1 Tim 2:12-3:12. Violating God's Word is not a recommended path to follow.”
&
verdict and judgment in Love on Trial,
http://www.loveontrial.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-On-Trial/190582754298364
the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000572962166
http://www.rmnetwork.org/amy-delong/
&
John 8:1-11
&
June 23, 2011
Able to Breath – unedited
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/06/able-to-breath-unedited.html
&
John 8:1-11
&
Samuel Thompson’s
http://www.facebook.com/#!/keleayon
Inclusion Essay
shared at the New England United Methodist Church
Annual Conference
http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/195
in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,
June 10, 2011
&
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta UMC
http://rirutaumc.org
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Faith, God, Christ, love, grace, purpose, calling, servant, Love Prevails, law, messenger, caring, service, judging, LGBT, equality, empathy,
 
#poetry #love #grace #openhearts #opendoors #prayer #marriage #God #Christ #LGBT #equality #inclusive #empathy