Showing posts with label addiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label addiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

while they were shooting up - v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin


speaking Christ’s words of love
of God, of salvation, bearing witness,
with them, urgently present,
there on the streets, in the slums,
down in the trenches with them
while they were shooting up
the poison coursing through their veins...
living out the Great Commission,
kneeling where they are...
 
their eyes betrayed them,
The image is so stark, so jarring,
their pain was so evident, so raw,
lost in their chaos, but knowing
how desperately they need freedom
even as they are inviting liquid evil
imprisoned in chains of their addiction
in these shackles of bondage...
while they were shooting up...
convicted, knowing they need Jesus
to live, to be free...
 
crouching down before them
living the Great Commission
while they were shooting up...
speaking God’s word of salvation
to the last, the least, the lost,
with them where they are
in their living reality...
Bringing them Jesus
His light to save the world...
 
------ 
Edited July 15, 2026
while they were shooting up – v2
 
July 5, 2026
Faith Renewed Church
Testimony by missionary to South Africa -
graphic image of missionaries talking
with heroin addicts, one with the needle
on the ground before him, the other with the needle in his leg...
 
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, Great Commission, Matthew 28, South Africa, missionary, drugs, addiction, heroin, gospel, salvation, prayer, power, poison, sin, 

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

while they were shooting up - v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin





speaking Christ’s words of love
of God, of salvation, bearing witness,
with them, urgently present,
there on the streets, in the slums,
down in the trenches with them
while they were shooting up
the poison coursing through their veins...
living out the Great Commission,
kneeling where they are...
 
their eyes betrayed them,
The image is so stark, so jarring,
their pain was so evident, so raw,
lost in their chaos, but knowing
how desperately they need freedom
even as they are inviting liquid evil
imprisoned in chains of their addiction
in these shackles of bondage...
while they were shooting up...
convicted, knowing they need Jesus
to live, to be free...
 
crouching down before them
living the Great Commission
while they were shooting up...
speaking God’s word of salvation
to the last, the least, the lost,
with them where they are
in their living reality...
Bringing them Jesus
His light to save the world...
 
------ 
Edited July 15, 2026
while they were shooting up – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/while-they-were-shooting-up-v2_0793170506.html
July 5, 2026
Faith Renewed Church
Testimony by missionary to South Africa -
graphic image of missionaries talking
with heroin addicts, one with the needle
on the ground before him, the other with the needle in his leg...

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, Great Commission, Matthew 28, South Africa, missionary, drugs, addiction, heroin, gospel, salvation, prayer, power, poison, sin,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin


Monday, July 06, 2026

while they were shooting up #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power


of God, bearing witness,
there on the streets, in the slums,
down in the trenches with them
while they were shooting up
the poison in their veins...
living the Great Commission,
kneeling where they are...
 
the image so stark, so jarring,
their pain so evident, so raw,
knowing how desperately they need freedom
even as they are receiving liquid evil
bound in the chains of their addiction
in these shackles of bondage...
knowing they need Jesus
to live, to be free...
 
living the Great Commission
while they were shooting up...
speaking God’s word of salvation
to the last, the least, the lost,
crouching down with them
in their living reality...
bringing them Jesus
His light to save the world...
 
------ 
July 6, 2026
 
Faith Renewed Church
Testimony by missionary to South Africa
graphic image of missionaries talking
with heroin addicts, one with the needle
on the ground, the other with the needle in his leg...
 
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, Great Commission, Matthew 28, South Africa, missionary, drugs, addiction, heroin, gospel, salvation, prayer, power,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power


Tuesday, June 07, 2022

our broken clay can hold light – v3

with God alone
our broken pieces are gathered;
the clay of our skin
becomes a vessel
 
our broken clay
can hold God’s promise;
we hold the Spirit
within our hearts
 
our broken clay
can hold light;
through Christ’s presence
we are called
 
we may be broken
shattered into a million pieces;
but we can shine God’s light
into the darkness
 
----

Edited June 7, 2022

our broken clay can hold light – v3

 

edited November 26, 2014

our broken clay can hold light – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/our-broken-clay-can-hold-light-v2.html

edited November 4, 2014

our broken clay can hold light

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/our-broken-clay-can-hold-light.html

November 4, 2014

even a broken vessel can hold water

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/even-broken-vessel-can-hold-water.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, and 2022. 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, addiction, calling, Christ, Faith, God, grace, journey, joy, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, witness, worship, prayer, alcohol, alcoholism,

 

#poetry #faith #Christ #God #love #grace #witness #journey #healing #worship #joy #addiction #choices #prayer #alcohol

Monday, January 17, 2022

His voice only a growl

A minion of Satan, broken,
a spirit crushed, unrecognizable,
beholden to the darkness, the Devil,
a soul sold too cheaply,
lost, or so it seems.
 
His voice only a growl,
mere guttural utterances
unintelligible, no syllables,
pushed over rotten teeth
from his bowel, the bile,
poison deep within.
 
His eyes dark, sunken,
downcast, almost hidden,
his body ravaged by the meth
the drug which owns him
that stole his youth, his spirit,
his soul, now a shell, a specter.
 
Drugs send him out to harvest,
to seek other victims, prey,
he pushes forward, in pain,
a cloak of death upon him
emanating from his aura
poison deep within.
 
---------------

edited January 17, 2022

His voice only a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-voice-only-growl.html

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl-v2.html

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl.html

January 17, 2022

His words a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-growl.html

 

poetry, God, Satan, meth, methamphetamine, crystal meth, ice, user, dealer, addiction, poison, evil,

 

#poetry #God #Satan #meth #methamphetamine #crystalmeth #ice #user #dealer #addiction #poison #evil #spirit #control

 

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, and 2022. 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.

 

His words only a growl – v2

His words only a growl,
mere guttural utterances
almost unintelligible, no syllables,
pushed over rotten teeth
from his bowel, the bile,
poison deep within him.
 
His eyes dark, sunken,
downcast, almost hidden,
his body ravaged by the meth
the drug which owns him
that stole his youth, his spirit,
his soul now a shell, a specter.
 
Drugs send him out to harvest,
to seek other victims, prey,
he pushes forward, in pain,
a cloak of death upon him
emanating from his aura
poison deep within him.
 
---------------

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl-v2.html

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl.html

January 17, 2022

His words a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-growl.html

 

poetry, meth, methamphetamine, crystal meth, ice, user, dealer, addiction, poison, evil,

 

#poetry #meth #methamphetamine #crystalmeth #ice #user #dealer #addiction #poison #evil #spirit #control

His words only a growl

His words only a growl,
a mere guttural utterance
almost unintelligible, no syllables,
pushed over rotten teeth
from his bowel, the bile,
the poison deep within him.
 
His eyes dark, sunken,
downcast, almost hidden,
his body ravaged by the meth
the drug which owns him
that stole his youth, his spirit,
his soul now a specter.
 
Drugs send him out to harvest,
to seek other victims,
he pushes forward, in pain,
a cloak of death upon him
emanating from his aura
the poison deep within him.
 

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

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl-v2.html

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl.html

January 17, 2022

His words a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-growl.html

 

poetry, meth, methamphetamine, crystal meth, ice, user, dealer, addiction, poison, evil,

 

#poetry #meth #methamphetamine #crystalmeth #ice #user #dealer #addiction #poison #evil #spirit #control

 

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, and 2022. 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.

His words a growl

His words a growl, a guttural utterance
almost unintelligible, no syllables,
pushed over rotten teeth
from his bowel, the bile,
the poison deep within him.
 
His eyes were dark, sunken,
downcast, almost closed,
his body ravaged by the meth
that had stolen his youth,
his spirit, his soul.
 

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

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl-v2.html

edited January 17, 2022

His words only a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-only-growl.html

January 17, 2022

His words a growl

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/his-words-growl.html

 

poetry, meth, methamphetamine, crystal meth, ice, user, dealer, addiction, poison, evil,

 

#poetry #meth #methamphetamine #crystalmeth #ice #user #dealer #addiction #poison #evil #spirit #control

 

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, and 2022. 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.

Friday, July 26, 2019

as a community – 2 – v3

as a community
one body, in praise
not as two congregations
one people together
coming to worship You.

as a community
under the bright sky.
the canopy, the dome,
the tent of the meeting
You created at the beginning.

as a community
worshipping You, oh Lord,
glad together as one people
all of Your children here
gathered, to build up the Kingdom.

====
edited July 26, 2019
as a community – 2 – v3

edited May 13, 2015
as a community – 2 – v2
August 10, 2014
as a community – 2
======
Worship in the Park
======
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer, prayer over offering, benediction
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
&
Prayers of the People and Pastoral Prayer
and songs of praise over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
message by Pastor Rodney Lord
Pastor, Freedom Gate Church
Pastor, Valley Harvest Church
August 10, 2014
Patten Academy Park
Patten, ME
======
“A Night to Shine”
======
-       6:30 Community Praise & Worship, featuring Chuck Loucka on piano and special performances by special people to benefit Resting Arms Ministry.
-       A Love Offering was taken.
the 5th Annual Prayer Chain for the Addicted on the West side of Main St.
-       The church bells rang for a half hour and
-       John Birmingham played and sang on the Historical Society Porch.
-       We ended with The Lord's Prayer TOGETHER!
-       a night to Stand with your neighbor and pray for healing.
-       LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
sponsored by Jeremiah’s Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
&
Music by Praise Team
led by Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 7, 2014
======
Worship in the Park, 2013
======
Worship Service in the Park – 8/11/2013
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+3%3A17-19&version=NIV
17 
Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.”
and sermon “There Is Hope In Community”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
&
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (rewritten by me, one version)
17 Though the mills may be shuttered
and the forests are empty,
though the fields do not provide
their bounty, their harvest,
though the young are departing
for greener pastures,
18 yet I rejoice in my God
I will be joyful in Christ my Savior.
19 The Creator of the universe is my rock
I am like the deer, its hooves
steady on the Mountain.
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 11, 2013
&
=======
Jeremiah’s Corner
========
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
presentation:
“The Power of Making Good Choices”
by Lois Flewelling
from Empowering Life Ministries
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 2013

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 51,040+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

addiction, calling, Christ, God, grace, Jeremiah's Corner, journey, joy, love, Pastor Rodney Lord, Spirit, witness, worship, hope, community


#faith #God #love #grace #witness #journey #healing #worship #joy #hope #community

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

our future is in God – v2

our joy should be evident
because our hope is eternal
our future is in God
at the end of these days.

we must speak our hope
share it with our neighbors
so they may choose
to walk the way to paradise.

our future is in God
this is our challenge
this one message to share
upon our faith journey.

we are to praise Him
our risen Lord and Savior
the Light of the world
the Hope for all mankind.

====
edited July 24, 2019
our future is in God – v2

August 19, 2014
our future is in God
======
Worship in the Park
======
Psalm 133
Psalm 84:5
Revelations 4:11
Revelations 5
Deuteronomy 5:16
Leviticus 19
John 4
1 Peter 3:15
Jeremiah 29:11
Hebrews
Romans 15:13
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer, prayer over offering, benediction
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
&
Prayers of the People and Pastoral Prayer
and songs of praise over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
message by Pastor Rodney Lord
Pastor, Freedom Gate Church
Pastor, Valley Harvest Church
August 10, 2014
Patten Academy Park
Patten, ME
======
“A Night to Shine”
======
6:30 Community Praise & Worship, featuring Chuck Loucka on piano and special performances by special people to benefit Resting Arms Ministry.
A Love Offering was taken.
the 5th Annual Prayer Chain for the Addicted on the West side of Main St.
The church bells rang for a half hour and
John Birmingham played and sang on the Historical Society Porch.
We ended with The Lord's Prayer TOGETHER!
a night to Stand with your neighbor and pray for healing.
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
sponsored by Jeremiah’s Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
&
Music by Praise Team
led by Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 7, 2014
======
Worship in the Park, 2013
======
Worship Service in the Park – 8/11/2013
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+3%3A17-19&version=NIV
17 
Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.”
and sermon “There Is Hope In Community”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
&
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (rewritten by me, one version)
17 Though the mills may be shuttered
and the forests are empty,
though the fields do not provide
their bounty, their harvest,
though the young are departing
for greener pastures,
18 yet I rejoice in my God
I will be joyful in Christ my Savior.
19 The Creator of the universe is my rock
I am like the deer, its hooves
steady on the Mountain.
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 11, 2013
&
=======
Jeremiah’s Corner
========
Jeremiah 29:11
led by Ellen Alward Dickinson
presentation:
“The Power of Making Good Choices”
by Lois Flewelling
from Empowering Life Ministries
&
opening prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 2013

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 50,950+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

addiction, calling, Christ, God, grace, journey, love, Pastor Rodney Lord, Spirit, witness, worship, hope, community, hope, honor, Psalm 133, America, Maine,


#faith #God #love #grace #witness #journey #healing #worship #joy #hope #community #honor #Psalm133 #Maine #America

Saturday, December 29, 2018

We must love them – 2 – v2

We must love them
addicted, hurting,
those broken,
as Christ loves us.
We must not judge
because we are not
their judge, God is;
we must forgive them.
we must pray for them
in recovery efforts;
we must pray for
their loved ones as well.
 
==================
edited December 29, 2018
We must love them – 2 – v2
 
(shortened to fit on Twitter)
December 29, 2018
We must love them - 2
in response to post on Cristy Tremblay’s page
“Those drug addicts you are judging are not just some junkies
and losers who deserve to die. They’re actually some good people
with good hearts who made some bad decisions as we all do. So if
you cant help them, dont hurt them. Pray for them! 3amthoughts”
&
Realistic Poetry
Saving Lives with Poetry 2018 Contest Drugs, Alcohol & Addiction
&
edited October 27, 2014
Love them where you love them – v4
(editing version 2)
Edited September 28, 2013
“Love them where you love them – v3”
Edited July 2, 2013
“Love them where you love them – v2
July 1, 2013
“Love them where you love them”
answer to question and
presentation by Chester (Chet) Birmingham
on addiction and recovery at
Jeremiah’s Corner,
led by Ellen Dickinson
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 1, 2013
 
 
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 48,270 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Methodist, calling, witness, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, addiction, evil, Jeremiah’s Corner, Jeremiah 29, demons, despair,
 
#faith #God #Christ #love #grace #calling #witness #Jeremiah29 #Patten #ME #hope #addiction #demons