there, but for Your Grace, go I

I know full well, my sin, my failure,
the sins I have committed,
the ways I have rejected You
my Savior and my God…
 
I share with them my witness,
how You saved my life,
how I could be just like them,
there, but for Your Grace, go I…
 
It is no exaggeration, my truth,
that my sins are an indictment,
a charge against my soul
I could never repay…
 
But You, Lord, You saved me from the pit
You raised me for a purpose, a mission,
to be Your broken vessel, willing,
to be filled, to be poured…

-----  
June 4, 2025
there, but for Your Grace, go I
 
after talking with some of the guys at the Overcomers Center
about my own addictions, sins, and how easily I could have
been in a program such as theirs
Edited February 5, 2025
After You spared my life – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/after-you-spared-my-life-v2.html
Based on #Psalm1
re:generation group, January 13, 2025
Edited March 8, 2025
in service – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-service-v2.html
Based on #Mark10:45
re:generation, Week 6, Day 3
Overcomers’ Tuesday nights
Edited June 1, 2025
Christ is my Ransom – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/christ-is-my-ransom-v3.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 5
May 19, 2025
draw nigh to God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/draw-nigh-to-god.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 4
May 19, 2025
heirs through our hope
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/heirs-through-our-hope.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 3
May 19, 2025
Name Your Sins
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/name-your-sins.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 2
May 19, 2025
No Condemnation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/no-condemnation.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, 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, love, grace, regeneration, salvation, Psalm 1, calling, purpose, Mark 10,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #salvation #calling #purpose

in service – v2

finding kinship with each other,
our broken brothers in Christ,
longing to ease their pain
in their walk in this life…
 
sensing their pain, authentic,
coming up beside them
in service to one another
within our own brokenness…
 
in service, helping one another,
in sharing our lives, openly,
offering help to each other
in the trials of this life…
 
together we grow stronger,
each of us helping each other,
the servants and those being served,
in the journey we are sharing…
 
----- 
Edited March 8, 2025
in service – v2
 
Based on #Mark10:45
re:generation, Week 6, Day 3
Overcomers’ Tuesday nights
 
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, love, grace, regeneration, Mark 10,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #prayer
 

in service

finding kinship with them
our broken brothers in Christ,
longing to ease their pain
in their walk in life…
 
sensing their pain
coming up beside them
in service to one another
within our own brokenness…
 
in service, in offering,
in sharing our lives,
offering help to each other
in the trials of life…
 
----- 
March 3, 2025
in service
 
Based on #Mark10:45
re:generation, Week 6, Day 3
Overcomers’ Tuesday nights
March 3, 2025
ruts, familiar patterns
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/ruts-familiar-patterns.html
Based on #Romans12:2
re:generation, Week 6, Day 2
March 3, 2025
Desperation is good
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/desperation-is-good.html
Based on #Psalm34:18
re:generation, Week 6, 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, love, grace, regeneration, Mark 10,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

How hard – v2

How hard,
for a rich man,
to rise to heaven,
to stand before God’s throne…
 
How hard,
to explain, to answer,
the questions raised up,
by our Master, Almighty God…
 
How hard,
offering proof of compassion,
showing that they loved,
God, their fellow man…
 
How hard,
for a rich man,
to stand in judgement,
to stand before God’s throne…
 
--------------
Edited August 8, 2024
How hard – v2
 
Based on #Mark10:23-27
August 8, 2024
How hard
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/how-hard.html
&
August 8, 2024
Raise me from the pit
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/raise-me-from-pit.html
Based on #Luke4:18-21
Based on #Isaiah61:1-4
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 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, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, Mark 10, rich man, judgement,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #richman #judgement

How hard

How hard,
For a rich man,
To rise to heaven,
To stand before God’s throne…
 
How hard,
To explain, to answer,
The questions raised up,
By our Master, Almighty God…
 
How hard,
For a rich man,
To stand in judgement,
To stand before God’s throne…
 
--------------
August 8, 2024
How hard
 
Based on #Mark10:23-27
&
August 8, 2024
Raise me from the pit
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/raise-me-from-pit.html
Based on #Luke4:18-21
Based on #Isaiah61:1-4
August 8, 2024
Christ was anointed
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/christ-was-anointed.html
Edited August 7, 2024
The commission of our Savior – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-commission-of-our-savior-v2.html
August 7, 2024
We will have joy
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/we-will-have-joy.html
August 7, 2024
God’s Spirit is upon us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/gods-spirit-is-upon-us.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, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, Mark 10, rich man, judgement,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #richman #judgement

the divine absence – v2

whether real or imagined

baggage we carry

an ache deep in my body

not sensing God

the divine absence

not feeling God’s presence

a malaise, a sickness

an ache in my soul

needing him with me

for me to feel whole

yearning to sense Him

God’s Spirit within

----

edited August 10, 2019

the divine absence – v2

October 11, 2012

the divine absence

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-divine-absence.html

Job 23:8-9, 16-17

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 11, 2012,

read October 11, 2012

&

Hebrews 4:12-16

Mark 10:17-22

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 10, 2012,

read October 10, 2012

&

Psalm 22:1-15

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 9, 2012,

read October 9, 2012

&

Job 23:1-7

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 8, 2012,

read October 8, 2012

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 51,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Poetry Where You Live, calling, purpose, servant, healing, Job 23, Psalm 22, prayer, cries, honesty, petitions, Raymond A. Foss, Mark 10, Hebrews 4,

#faith #God #Christ #love #grace #calling #purpose #Job23 #Psalm22 #prayer #honesty #petitions #Mark10 #Hebrews4

humility and servanthood – v2

not asking us for more

than He would do;

leading by His example

here is the world

humility and servanthood

the way of God, of Christ;

not a king but a servant

releasing our bonds

=====

edited January 29, 2017

October 23, 2012

humility and servanthood

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/10/humility-and-servanthood.html

Mark 10:41-45

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 21, 2012,

read October 21, 2012

&

Job 38:34-41

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 20, 2012,

read October 20, 2012

&

Psalm 104:24, 35C

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 19, 2012,

read October 19, 2012

&

Mark 10:35-43

“The Request of James and John” (NIV)

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 18, 2012,

read October 18, 2012

&

Hebrews 5:1-10

Hebrews 4:14-16

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 17, 2012,

read October 17, 2012

&

Psalm 104:1-9

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 16, 2012,

read October 16, 2012

&

Job 38:1-7

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 15, 2012 to October 21, 2012

“Searching for Peace”

by Luonne Abram Rouse

for October 15, 2012,

read October 16, 2012

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, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 43,040 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, calling, purpose, servant, healing, prayer, Raymond A. Foss, peace, Job 38, creator,  Psalm 104, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 4, Mark 10,

#faith #God #Christ #love #grace #calling #purpose #prayer #Job38 #creator #Psalm104 #Hebrews5 #Hebrews4 #Mark10

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v10

in spite of my pain, my anguish,

my sense that God is not near me

that God doesn’t answer my cries

that I find no peace within me;

Yet I am not silenced

by the darkness, this life

for I know deep within me

that God is by my side

=====

edited August 6, 2016

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v10

(merging version 1 and version 9)

edited January 13, 2016

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v9

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v9.html

(editing version 8)

edited October 30, 2015

yet I am no silenced by the darkness – v8

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v8.html

(editing original)

edited April 13, 2015

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v7

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v7.html

(editing original again)

edited January 28, 2015

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v6

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v6.html

(editing original again)

edited November 22, 2014

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v5.html

(editing original again)

edited October 24, 2014

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v4.html

(editing original again)

edited October 11, 2014

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v3.html

edited October 5, 2014

yet I am not silenced by the darkness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness-v2.html

October 12, 2012

yet I am not silenced by the darkness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/10/yet-i-am-not-silenced-by-darkness.html

Job 23:8-9, 16-17

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 11, 2012,

read October 11, 2012

&

Hebrews 4:12-16

Mark 10:17-22

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 10, 2012,

read October 10, 2012

&

Psalm 22:1-15

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 9, 2012,

read October 9, 2012

&

Job 23:1-7

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

October 8, 2012 to October 14, 2012

“Approaching God Boldly”

by Beth Porter

for October 8, 2012,

read October 8, 2012

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 41,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Do More Than Dream – v5

We dream of a world without pain

without poverty, without hunger

a just and loving world

for all of God’s people

we dream of a place for us

in your kingdom

What are we doing now

in our day to day lives

to put our faith in motion

in action now in this world

to better the lives, the days

of our brother, our sister,

their children, our world?

We must fulfill the call

the commission of Jesus

The work is here before us

what are we doing now

to bring forth Your peace

Your sovereign love

---------------

edited July 30, 2016

Do More Than Dream – v5

editing version of August 19, 2009

edited December 26, 2015

Do More than Dream – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/do-more-than-dream-v4.html

(editing early version)

edited November 25, 2015

Do More Than Dream – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/do-more-than-dream-v3.html

(editing original Facebook version)

edited November 4, 2015

Do More Than Dream – Blog Action Day – Facebook version – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/do-more-than-dream-blog-action-day.html

edited September 26, 2015

Do More Than Dream – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/do-more-than-dream-v2.html

August 19, 2009

Do More Than Dream – 08192009

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-more-than-dream.html

10/15/2008

Do More Than Dream – Blog Action Day

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/poverty-blog-action-day.html

10/11/08

Do More Than Dream – Blog Action Day – Facebook version

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-more-than-dream.html

10/22/06 14:24

Do More Than Dream

http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/10/do-more-than-dream.html

Mark 10:35-45

10/15/08

Blog Action Day, poverty

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 41,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.