while we are waiting #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Noah #prodigal #secondcoming #Matthew24 #Zechariah14 #Acts1 #Revelations22 #1Thessalonians4 #Luke15 #Genesis6 #lostsheep

as we prepare
while we are waiting
even when we doubt...
we must be in the vineyard,
in the fields, on the street,
sharing the Good News,
being Jesus’ hands and feet...
 
being ready...
means planting, watering,
preparing the good soil...
 
of human hearts
not sitting at home
with our open bibles...
we are to seek
to increase God’s harvest,
to increase God’s joy,
in heaven above...
 
----------------
July 27, 2026
while we are waiting
 
Matthew 28:18-20
July 27, 2026
Be prepared, be ready
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/be-prepared-be-ready.html
Matthew 24:36-44
Genesis 6:5-8
Genesis 6-8 (Noah)
Isaiah 61:21(b)
Zechariah 14:4
Acts 1:9-11
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 15:1-7 (one lost sheep)
Luke 15:11-32 (prodigal son)
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Revelations 22:20
Revelations 1:7
Matthew 24:30
Revelations 19:11-16
Revelations 19
Sermon, by Pastor Terry Rogers
Sermon series, “Written in Red”
Faith Renewed Church
July 23, 2026
their jaws dropped
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/their-jaws-dropped.html
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 61:1-2
(but not Isaiah 61:2(b))
Sermon, “This Scripture is Fulfilled”,
by Pastor Terry Rogers
Sermon series, “Written in Red”
Faith Renewed Church
July 23, 2026
Why do You love us so?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/why-do-you-love-us-so.html
Praise songs before the sermon
Faith Renewed Church, July 19, 2026
Edited July 23, 2026
pour out your praise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/pour-out-your-praise-v2.html
praise and intense prayer by whole congregation
Faith Renewed Church, May 31, 2026
May 28, 2026
Surrender - 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/surrender-2.html
Faith Renewed Church
May 18, 2026
Believe – 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/believe.html
Based on Matthew 9:27-31
Sermon, “Your Faith”
Faith Renewed 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, love, grace, Noah, prodigal, second coming, Matthew 24, Zechariah 14, Acts 1, Revelations 22, 1 Thessalonians 4, Luke 15, Genesis 6, lost sheep,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Noah #prodigal #secondcoming #Matthew24 #Zechariah14 #Acts1 #Revelations22 #1Thessalonians4 #Luke15 #Genesis6 #lostsheep

Be prepared, be ready #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Noah #prodigal #secondcoming #Matthew24 #Zechariah14 #Acts1 #Revelations22 #1Thessalonians4 #Luke15 #Genesis6 #lostsheep

The rain is coming
The judgment, the King,
coming on the clouds
to cleanse the earth...
 
God saves the one lost sheep,
celebrate for those who come home
like each prodigal son
before He returns
 
Be prepared, be ready,
for we do not know
the hour, the moment....
Only God knows...
 
----------------
July 27, 2026
Be prepared, be ready
 
Matthew 24:36-44
Genesis 6:5-8
Genesis 6-8 (Noah)
Isaiah 61:21(b)
Zechariah 14:4
Acts 1:9-11
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 15:1-7 (one lost sheep)
Luke 15:11-32 (prodigal son)
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Revelations 22:20
Revelations 1:7
Matthew 24:30
Revelations 19:11-16
Revelations 19
Sermon, “ ”,
by Pastor Terry Rogers
Sermon series, “Written in Red”
Faith Renewed Church
July 23, 2026
their jaws dropped
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/their-jaws-dropped.html
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 61:1-2
(but not Isaiah 61:2(b))
Luke 3:21-22
Isaiah 58:6
Leviticus 25:8-38
Deuteronomy 15:1-11
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Sermon, “This Scripture is Fulfilled”,
by Pastor Terry Rogers
Sermon series, “Written in Red”
Faith Renewed Church
July 23, 2026
Why do You love us so?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/why-do-you-love-us-so.html
Praise songs before the sermon
Faith Renewed Church, July 19, 2026
Edited July 23, 2026
pour out your praise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/pour-out-your-praise-v2.html
praise and intense prayer by whole congregation
Faith Renewed Church, May 31, 2026
May 28, 2026
Surrender - 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/surrender-2.html
Faith Renewed Church
May 18, 2026
Believe – 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/believe.html
Based on Matthew 9:27-31
Sermon, “Your Faith”
Faith Renewed 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, love, grace, Noah, prodigal, second coming, Matthew 24, Zechariah 14, Acts 1, Revelations 22, 1 Thessalonians 4, Luke 15, Genesis 6, lost sheep,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Noah #prodigal #secondcoming #Matthew24 #Zechariah14 #Acts1 #Revelations22 #1Thessalonians4 #Luke15 #Genesis6 #lostsheep

a place of worship

No more churches

dividing the peoples

not places of worship

but a place of worship

in the new city

in the kingdom of God

God’s glory will be the light

the gates will be open

there will be no darkness

the sheep will enter in

we will join with the angels

to sing glory to God

------

May 1, 2016

a place of worship

Revelations 22:10, 22-27

devotion for April 30, 2016

read May 1, 2016

&

Revelations 22:1-5

devotion for May 1, 2016

read May 1, 2016

&

 “Visions of Transformation

by George R. Graham

for May 1, 2016 to May 8, 2016

The Upper Room Disciplines 2016

&

Psalm 23

devotion for April 13, 2016

read April 14, 2016

&

 Psalm 23

devotion for April 14, 2016

read April 14, 2016

&

 “Faith and the Power of Community”

by Roy M. Carlisle

for April 11, 2016 to April 17, 2016

The Upper Room Disciplines 2016

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, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,210+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

fed by the tree, by the river

we are fed by the tree,

by the river of life

God’s love overflows us

bringing us joy in life

the springs quench our thirst

the fruits feed our hunger

we are fed by the tree,

by the river of life

------

May 1, 2016

fed by the river, by the river

Revelations 22:1-5

devotion for May 1, 2016

read May 1, 2016

&

 “Visions of Transformation

by George R. Graham

for May 1, 2016 to May 8, 2016

The Upper Room Disciplines 2016

&

Psalm 23

devotion for April 13, 2016

read April 14, 2016

&

 Psalm 23

devotion for April 14, 2016

read April 14, 2016

&

 “Faith and the Power of Community”

by Roy M. Carlisle

for April 11, 2016 to April 17, 2016

The Upper Room Disciplines 2016

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, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,210+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a bottomless emptiness – v5

Devoid of dimensions,

a bottomless emptiness;

Abject nothingness

the earth was without end.

A voice would pierce the Dark

God spoke Light;

All coming into view

Day from the Night.

------

edited August 2, 2015

a bottomless emptiness – v5

(editing version 2)

edited January 29, 2015

a bottomless emptiness – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-bottomless-emptiness-v4.html

edited January 21, 2015

a bottomless emptiness – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-bottomless-emptiness.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

edited March 1, 2014

a bottomless emptiness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-bottomless-emptiness-v2.html

February 4, 2013

a bottomless emptiness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-bottomless-emptiness.html

Genesis 1:2

Genesis 1:1-5 (The Message)

Revelations 22:21

Upper Room Daily Devotional

 “In the Beginning”

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2013-01-30

by Mary Ann Keuren

for January 30, 2013

read February 3, 2013

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a bottomless emptiness – v4

Devoid of dimensions

a bottomless emptiness;

abject nothingness

the earth was without end

A Voice would pierce the Dark

God spoke Light;

all coming into view

Day from the Night

The land would form

rising from the deep

the waters held within boundaries

set by God

Life would come

formed by the Potter

the stuff of clay

was given life

------

edited January 29, 2015

a bottomless emptiness

edited January 21, 2015

a bottomless emptiness – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-bottomless-emptiness.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

edited March 1, 2014

a bottomless emptiness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-bottomless-emptiness-v2.html

February 4, 2013

a bottomless emptiness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-bottomless-emptiness.html

Genesis 1:2

Genesis 1:1-5 (The Message)

Revelations 22:21

Upper Room Daily Devotional

 “In the Beginning”

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2013-01-30

by Mary Ann Keuren

for January 30, 2013

read February 3, 2013

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,550+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a bottomless emptiness - v3

devoid of dimensions

a bottomless emptiness;

abject nothingness

the earth was without end

A Voice would pierce the Dark

God spoke Light;

all coming into view

Day from the Night

------

edited January 21, 2015

a bottomless emptiness – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-bottomless-emptiness.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

edited March 1, 2014

a bottomless emptiness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-bottomless-emptiness-v2.html

February 4, 2013

a bottomless emptiness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-bottomless-emptiness.html

Genesis 1:2

Genesis 1:1-5 (The Message)

Revelations 22:21

Upper Room Daily Devotional

 “In the Beginning”

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2013-01-30

by Mary Ann Keuren

for January 30, 2013

read February 3, 2013

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,310+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

sermon, "The Name Game", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, September 28, 2014

September 28, 2014

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Sermon Series: The I Am Statements of Jesus

Sermon 1 of Series:

“I Am”

Revelation 22:13 CEB

Matthew 16:13-16 CEB

Exodus 3:12-15 CEB

The Name Game by Shirley Ellis

“The Name Game”

Let us pray. . . Pray for the Spirit’s leading and that God’s word would be heard. . .

When I was growing up, my brother and I used to love a song by Shirley Ellis called The Name Game. The song would go through various names and sing them in a fun way. For instance. . . Shirley! Shirley, Shirley bo Birley Bonana fanna fo Firley Fee fy mo Mirley, Shirley!

Lincoln! Lincoln, Lincoln bo Bincoln Bonana fanna fo Fincoln Fee fy mo Mincoln, Lincoln! (We used to love to use the name Art. . . think about that for a moment. . . let’s do Art. . . Art Art bo Bart Bonana Fanna fof Fart Fee fy foMart, Art) It is all about the name.

What is it about names? Expectant parents spend many hours trying to find the perfect name for their unborn child. It has to be the perfect name that would exemplify the child. When I was born my dad went to my grandmother and told her that I was going to be named Ruth. Now my mother hated the name Ruth. There was already two Ruth’s in the family and I was not going to be the third one. Well. . . my grandmother asked her if she ever read the story of Ruth in the bible. My mother hadn’t so she decided to read the story. After reading it she decided that Ruth was the perfect name for me. (I hope that I have lived up to my name. . . )

Not only are we given names from our parents, we also go by many other names. When we are asked who we are we might say something like, a mother. . . a father. . . a pastor, a domestic engineer. . . the list goes on. These names, we give ourselves, describe what we do, not necessarily who we are. Although saying we are a child of God describes who we are in Christ. . .  Even Jesus used words that described not only who He was but what He does. Jesus stated “I Am” in seven places in the New Testament.

We have entered into the Season that we begin to look forward to the manger. . . the Season that we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus is the Savior of the world but He is so much more than that. As we prepare to welcome in the babe in the manger, we are going to take a look at those seven “I Am” statements that Jesus made while He walked among us. My prayer is that as we do, we will realize what really happened that day, how that one day changed the tide of sin and death. It’s all about the name and what goes along with that very same name. . . not just who but what that name implies.

Now as I read the scriptures from this morning, we hear a couple of different ways Jesus is described. The Revelation piece tells us that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the beginning and the End. Jesus was there in the beginning. He is the beginning, the middle and the end and He will still be standing in the end of days.

When Jesus asked who the people thought He was he was given various answers but when
he asked who Peter thought He was, Peter knew for sure. . . He was the son of God. . . the Christ. . . the Messiah. . . not only who Jesus was but what Jesus was and is still today. . . the first and the last. . . the beginning and the end. It’s all in the knowing that makes a difference in how we respond. . .

When God called Moses to free His people Moses wanted to be in “the know” of who was sending him. He needed a name that he could use. . . a name that would be proof that he was sent by God. . . a name that was given to him to invoke trust. The name is found in Exodus 3:12-15. . .  Listen to this name as I read the passage and see if it would invoke trust in you as well. . .

Exodus 3:12-15 Common English Bible (CEB)

12 God said, “I’ll be with you. And this will show you that I’m the one who sent you. After you bring the people out of Egypt, you will come back here and worship God on this mountain.”

God’s special name

13 But Moses said to God, “If I now come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they are going to ask me, ‘What’s this God’s name?’ What am I supposed to say to them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. So say to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” 15 God continued, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever; this is how all generations will remember me.

The forever name of God. . . one that last for a life time. . . The beginning. . . the end. . . and all that is in between. . .  This is the name we remember to this day. . . God the Great I Am. I am always with you. . . I am with you in the desert places. . . I am with you in your joys and sorrows. . . I am with you in the storm and will bring you to still water. . . I Am. . .

It’s all about the name. . . it’s all about the whom and the what. . .  It is who we are or what we are or both. Do we have a name that fits us? Do we have a name that shows the world not only who we are but what we are? We have the name of Christians. . . Christ followers. . . does that name we are given rain in us, out of us and on to the world around us? May the showers of heaven pour down on you and me so that the world will know the name above all names. . . our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. What’s your name and what do you do?

Let us pray. . . pray for Christ’s followers to live up to the new name we are given in Christ Jesus. . .

Amen.

====

September 28, 2014

Fall Sermon Series: The I Am Statements of Jesus

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1412452306./582635178509508/

Sermon 1 of Series: “I Am”

Revelation 22:13 CEB

Matthew 16:13-16 CEB

Exodus 3:12-15 CEB

The Name Game by Shirley Ellis

sermon, “The Name Game”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-name-game.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=582856955153997&id=174161846023512

&

Sermon 4 of Series: “I Am the Gate”

John 10:1-9 CEB

Matthew 7:13-14 CEB

children’s message

– mystery box – soccer shin guards, soccer cleats, water shoes, and a basketball

-          Pastor Ruth talked about the protective gear God provides,

-          the armor of God –

-          Ephesians 6:10-17

sermon –“The Straight and Narrow”

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=591746997598326&id=174161846023512

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-straight-and-narow.html

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/the-straight-and-narrow/

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sermon-straight-and-narrow-by-pastor.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/523889967211483136

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

October 19, 2014

&

Fall Sermon Series: The I Am Statements of Jesus

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1412452306./582635178509508/

Sermon 3 of Series: “I Am the Light of the World”

John 8:22 (CEB)

John 12:35-36 (CEB)

Matthew 5:14-16 (CEB)

The Name Game by Shirley Ellis

song, “Here I Am To Worship”, by Chris Tomlin

children’s time – mystery box – mirror

sermon, “Light For Our Eyes”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/10/light-for-our-eyes.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=588909867882039&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/sermon-light-for-our-eyes-by-pastor.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/521376207737479168

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss/posts/10152533461568003

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

October 12, 2014

&

Fall Sermon Series: The I Am Statements of Jesus

Sermon 2 of Series: “I Am the Bread of Life”

John 6:35

John 6:26-51

The Name Game by Shirley Ellis

Exodus 16:15

children’s time – mystery box – a throat drop and a candy mint

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/childrens-message-by-pastor-ruth-foss.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/518827750178971650

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/585805334859159/

sermon, “Bread of Heaven”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

World Communion Sunday

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-table-set-for-world-communion.html

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/world-communion-sunday

http://www.umcmission.org/explore-our-work/Scholarships

http://www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/world-communion-sunday

October 5, 2014

&

Fall Sermon Series: The I Am Statements of Jesus

Sermon 1 of Series: “I Am”

Revelation 22:13 CEB

Matthew 16:13-16 CEB

Exodus 3:12-15 CEB

The Name Game by Shirley Ellis

Children’s message – mystery box

-          green maple leaf and a colored maple leaf

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/582966341809725

-          the green color is not the true color

-          we are fed and nurtured in the spring and summer with the word;

-          we shine our true colors in autumn

sermon, “The Name Game”

http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-name-game.html

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=582856955153997&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/09/sermon-name-game-by-pastor-ruth-foss.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/516298208105218049

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

September 28, 2014

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 34,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.