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

hearing God’s voice – v2

We hear God’s voice

speaking a word of warning

but not heeding the message

not protecting himself

the dark clouds coming

to consume his flesh

We hear God’s voice

speaking a warning

when he turned to the message

changing his path, his way,

saving the prophet’s life

because he was protected by God

----

edited December 4, 2015

hearing God’s voice – v2

November 4, 2014

hearing God’s voice

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/hearing-gods-voice.html

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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,300+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

our broken clay can hold Jesus

within the flesh of our bodies

abiding in the vine

our broken clay

can hold God’s promise

our broken clay can hold Jesus

within our hearts

we hold the Spirit

within our broken clay

our broken can hold light,

Christ’s living presence;

we may be broken

but we can shine that light

----

edited/new November 26, 2014

our broken clay can hold Jesus

(editing original version again)

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

Jeremiah’s Corner

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 33,930+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

our broken clay can hold light – v2

with God alone

our broken pieces gathered

the clay of our skin

becoming 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 may be broken

but we can shine that light

into the darkness

----

edited November 26, 2014

our broken clay can hold light – v2

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

Jeremiah’s Corner

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 33,890+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

even a broken vessel can hold water – v3

If we think of ourselves

forgetting the light

the Spirit within us;

we lose our focus on Christ,

We sink in the waters

We want to be perfect;

but we are broken

we want to serve;

but we know we are unworthy

We forget God’s power

God’s redeeming grace;

Even a broken vessel

can hold water

God can transform

even someone like you

someone like me

We are washed by Christ’ blood

Christ makes us worthy

cleansed of our stain,

of our brokenness;

We are forgiven, redeemed,

through the blood of the cross

----

edited November 25, 2014

even a broken vessel can hold water – v3

edited November 25, 2014

even a broken vessel can hold water – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/even-broken-vessel-can-hold-water-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

Jeremiah’s Corner

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 33,880+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

even a broken vessel can hold water – v2

We want to be perfect;

but we are broken

we want to serve;

but we know we are unworthy

if we think of ourselves

forgetting the light

the Spirit within us;

we lose our focus on Christ,

We sink in the waters

Even a broken vessel

can hold water

God can transform

even someone like you

someone like me;

Christ makes us worthy

cleaned of our stain, our brokenness;

We are forgiven, redeemed

through the blood of Calvary

----

edited November 25, 2014

even a broken vessel can hold water – v2

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

Jeremiah’s Corner

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 33,880+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

what would we share – v3

Before friends, family,
those who know us
or those who might know
at least, at most, a season,
a piece of our story
if we were asked to witness
to share our story,
out truth, the light,
even the moments of darkness
the joy of redemption, of healing,
what part of the darkness, our history,
would we offer, would we share,
even within the sanctuary,
in safety, before family, friends,
how much of the truth, unfiltered,
painful and raw, hidden,
which of the layers, the flesh, the tissue,
which of the masks we wear,
how much of the truth, exposed,
would we speak aloud there

 

----

edited November 15, 2014

what would we share – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited November 6, 2014

what would we share – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v2.html

November 6, 2014

what would we share

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share.html

Jeremiah’s Corner

Jeremiah 29:11

led by Ellen Alward Dickinson

 

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, Jeremiah's Corner, 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

before the darkness – v2

before the darkness

before the spiral

down, down, falling

out of control

before the darkness

this place, sanctuary

life in that memory

in that hope for tomorrow

before the darkness

light, something to hold onto,

the light still there

even when we are in darkness

before the darkness

hope, promise

in this sacred space

something to remember

when the darkness finds us

----

edited November 11, 2014

before the darkness – v2

November 6, 2014

before the darkness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/before-darkness.html

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 33,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

speaking in our dreams – v2

speaking in our dreams

in our sense of foreboding

when we are at peace

quiet in our spirit

God speaking to us

in ways unexpected

we must listen

to God’s calling to us

we ignore the voice

at our own peril

----

edited November 11, 2014

speaking in dreams – v2

November 5, 2014

speaking in our dreams

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/speaking-in-our-dreams.html

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 33,450+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

risking judgment

risking judgment

in sharing unfiltered

truths that we hide

shared in the open

life more simple

without judgment

when we can be honest

open and real

----

November 6, 2014

risking judgment

November 6, 2014

would we be honest

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/would-we-be-honest.html

edited November 6, 2014

what would we share – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v2.html

November 6, 2014

what would we share

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share.html

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 33,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

would we be honest

feeling their eyes

looking upon us

growing, living

under their stares

would we be honest

authentic in our witness

how much of our truth

would we speak aloud there

----

November 6, 2014

would we be honest

edited November 6, 2014

what would we share – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v2.html

November 6, 2014

what would we share

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share.html

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 33,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

what would we share – v2

Before friends, family, those who know us
or those who might know
at least, at most, a piece of our story
if we were asked to witness
to share our story, out truth, the light,
the joy of redemption, of healing,
what part of the darkness, our history,
would we offer, would we share,
even within the sanctuary, in safety,
how much of the truth, unfiltered,
painful and raw, hidden,
which of the layers, the flesh, the tissue,
of the masks we wear,
how much of the truth, exposed,
would we speak aloud there
 

----

 

edited November 15, 2014

what would we share – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited November 6, 2014

what would we share – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v2.html

November 6, 2014

what would we share

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share.html

Jeremiah’s Corner

Jeremiah 29:11

led by Ellen Alward Dickinson

 

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.

 

addiction, calling, Christ, Faith, God, grace, Jeremiah's Corner, journey, joy, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, witness, worship, prayer, poetry,

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

what would we share

if we were asked to witness
to share our story
what part of the darkness
would we offer, would we share
even within the sanctuary, in safety,
how much of the truth
painful and raw, hidden,
which of the layers
of the masks we wear
how much of the truth
would we speak aloud there
 
----
 

edited November 15, 2014

what would we share – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited November 6, 2014

what would we share – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share-v2.html

November 6, 2014

what would we share

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-would-we-share.html

Jeremiah’s Corner

Jeremiah 29:11

led by Ellen Alward Dickinson

 

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, Jeremiah's Corner, 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

before the darkness

before the darkness

before the spiral

down, down, falling

out of control

before the darkness

this place, sanctuary

life in that memory

in that hope for tomorrow

----

November 6, 2014

before the darkness

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 33,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

through connection

brought back home

from the pit of despair

through connection

through friends

finding him there

hope in the journey

back from the pit

the light rising

within our hearts

----

November 6, 2014

through connection

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 33,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the truth in the whisper

the truth in the whisper

in the calling from God

God not shouting

as He calls to us

the truth in the whisper

in the still small voice

speaking within us

showing us the way

----

November 5, 2014

the truth in the whisper

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 33,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

speaking in our dreams

speaking in our dreams

in our sense of foreboding

when we are at peace

quiet in our spirit

God speaking to us

in ways unexpected

we must listen

ignoring the voice

at our own peril

----

November 5, 2014

speaking in our dreams

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 33,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

ignoring the voice

we all can relate

when we fail to follow

when we do not turn

hearing the Master’s voice

ignoring the voice

at our own peril

God speaking to us in dreams

in our feelings

sometimes foreboding

especially when we don’t listen

ignoring the voice

at our own peril

----

November 5, 2014

ignoring the voice

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 33,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

not in shadows but in the darkness

different than drugs, narcotics,

less of a stigma, in part,

not against the law

legal, to a point,

not in the shadows

but in the darkness;

the spiral of alcohol,

consuming lives

----

November 5, 2014

not in shadows but in the darkness

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 33,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

our theme song

to shine our light

to be faithful

a theme song playing

singing in the background

our theme song

sharing our light

to be faithful

shining in the darkness

out in the world

----

November 5, 2014

our theme song

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 33,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.