Words of Life – v2 #poetry #God #poetryreading #presentation #passion #calling #gifts

Waking with the sunrise
joy, I am above the dirt…
Beautiful flowers beyond my deck,
peace within my heart…
 
The world full of chaos
struggling as it always was,
But smiling through the places
the steps of our walk…
 
People who bring us happiness,
a comedian piercing my sadness…
The hurt that I feel inside
a weight lifted from me…
 
Growing up in the world
moving me to face the truth…
The struggle, the lies,
the things we cannot control…
 
Peace in my spirit,
a humorous attitude…
Joy in each step
at rest in this world…
 
====
Edited November 8, 2025
Words of Life – v2
 
Poetry Where You Live presentation
And Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives activity,
Gandy Allmon Manor,
Greenville, SC
 
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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 

Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, poetry reading, presentation, passion, calling, gifts,
 
#poetry #God #poetryreading #presentation #passion #calling #gifts
 

Words of Life #poetry #God #poetryreading #presentation #passion #calling #gifts

Waking with the sunrise
Joy, I am above the dirt,
Beautiful flowers beyond my deck…
 
The world full of chaos
Struggling as it always was
But smiling through the places
The steps of our walk…
 
People who bring us happiness,
A comedian piercing my sadness
The hurt that I feel…
 
Growing up in the world
Moving me to face the truth
The struggle, the lies,
The things we cannot control…
 
Peace in my spirit
A humorous attitude
Joy in each step
At rest in this world…
 
====
November 7, 2025
Words of Life
 
Poetry Where You Live presentation
And Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives activity,
Gandy Allmon Manor,
Greenville, SC
 
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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, poetry reading, presentation, passion, calling, gifts,
 
#poetry #God #poetryreading #presentation #passion #calling #gifts

Saturated Believing – v9

Our bodies, our lives, soaked, filled,

dripping wet, drenched, overflowing,

like cloth prayer dolls, worn, tattered,

passed down through generations;

Immersed in the living waters

the promise of Your holy Word…

 

Living sacrifices, vessels, bodies,

each week, coming before You

entering into reverence, awe,

given in worship, to be filled;

Given for Your pleasure

for Your holy purpose…

Saturated believing, on fire,

filled with Pentecost flames,

not lukewarm in our coming,

In our sitting at Your feet;

We long to be filled by You Lord,

wet, drenched to overflowing…

=================
Edited June 10, 2025
Saturated Believing – v9
 
edited August 6, 2015
Saturated Believing – v8
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/08/saturatedbelieving-v8-our-bodies-soaked.html
(editing version 3)
August 21, 2005 11:00
Saturated Believing
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/saturated-believing.html  
based on Romans 12:1-8
and the sermon "For God’s Pleasure".
by the Reverend Joel Guillemette
www.concordwumc.org   
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
&
edited March 15, 2014
saturate my heart – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/saturate-my-heart-v2.html   
song and worship led by Kim McKay White
https://www.facebook.com/kim.m.white1
https://twitter.com/klwhite1962  
at Gifts of the Holy Spirit Conference
March 14, 2014 and March 15, 2014
Houlton, ME
&
March 14, 2014
-          breach my walls
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/breach-my-walls.html
-          invade my body
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/invade-my-body.html
-          as water through a membrane
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/as-water-through-membrane.html  
-          wash through me
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/wash-through-me.html   
-          may your love fill me
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/may-your-love-fill-me.html
Ephesians 4:19b (The Voice)
“God, may Your fullness flood through their entire beings.”
Philippians 4:13 (NRSV)
Ephesians 3:14-21
“The Love of Christ” (NCV)
(but read in The Voice bible)
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“The Strength of God’s Presence”
http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2014-03-14
https://twitter.com/URIntlMin/status/444367600278315008
by Mabel Marin
 
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.
 
Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, witness, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Lent, Mabel Marin, Ephesians 3, water, word, Kim McKay White, Spirit, gifts, spiritual gifts, poetry,
 
#God #Christ #love #witness #Lent #Ephesians3 #water #word #gifts #spirit #poetry 

each child a seed – v2

each child a seed,
flung into the ether,
words gifted to me
gathered on the page, the screen,
scattered to the winds…
 
musings, scribbles,
inspiration, perspiration,
made ready, scattered,
longing to find fertile soil,
to be gleaned, gathered in…
 
-------------
Typed and posted October 28, 2024
each child a seed – v2
 
Written and posted October 9, 2024
each child a seed
typed October 16, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/each-child-seed_24.html
&
Edited September 25, 2024
Words call me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/words-call-me-v2.html
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v2.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirit, soul,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirit #soul

Forever Washing His Hands – v2

Can you see him still, through history, a specter,
tainted, tormented by his decision, indecision, the cost,
a soul yet wandering, caught between heaven and hell,
over and over, forever, he must have washed his hands
trying to remove the stain, the tattoo of innocent blood…
 
Blood, he allowed to be spilled, blood of a King
given for His people, those who knew His name,
but those who denied Him, those who were waiting, for Him,
whose oil was kept full, who knew more than anything else
they needed His gift, His boundless mercy, His ultimate sacrifice…
 
His wife knew too, something was wrong, something very wrong
she bitterly cried in anguish, tormented, telling him not
to shed this pure, clean blood, untainted by human sin.
A human life lived godly, that should have been proof enough
especially to those vacillating, questioning, those twelve disciples –
 
How could they walk with Him, hearing His teaching, learning,
watching Him, His actions, His compassion, His humanness,
the miracles He performed, the authority of every word
How could they not have seen He was God incarnate, seeing
His divinity, His pure love, His sinlessness, and not know?
 
He was God; how could Pilate let the rabble dictate the death
of an innocent life, a man that did not threaten Rome, a martyr,
how could he have been so weak, so impotent, washing his hands,
as if that would save him of this burden, this choice,
sacrificing Him, to hang on the cross, instead of Barrabas…
 
Forever washing his hands, no, that didn’t remove his stain
that he must have carried, he must carry still, yet, unfinished,
the tattoo still on his hands, his soul, his spirit, this purgatory,
a soul yet wandering, caught between heaven and hell,
like the Master knew and wrote so well…
 
----
Edited, Typed, and posted October 12, 2024
Forever Washing Him Hands – v2
 
edited February 9, 2022
Washing His Hands – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/washing-his-hands-v8.html
edited July 4, 2015
washing his hands – 2 – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/washing-his-hands-2-v5.html
(merging edits to version 3 and version 4)
edited April 11, 2015
the stain on Pilate’s hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-stain-on-pilates-hands-v3.html
(editing version 2)
&
March 26, 2013
“Washing His Hands - 2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/03/washing-his-hands-2.html
Matthew 27:17b
Matthew 27:15-26
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=7363
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 26, 2013
read March 26, 2013
&
earlier poem
December 2, 2006 20:02
“Washing His Hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/12/washing-his-hands.html
Matt 27:1-26; Luke 23:1-25
and The Master and Margarita
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/
by Mikhail Bulgakov
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/01bulgakov/inleiding.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, 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, Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Savior, guilt, sin, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, gifts, calling, Lent, Savior, Pilate, Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, stain,
 
#poetry #God #love #Christ #Spirit #Pilate #Bulgakov #MasterandMargarita #sin #stain

each child a seed

each child a seed,
flung into the ether,
gathered on the page, the screen,
scattered to the wind…
 
the musings, the scribbles,
inspiration, perspiration,
longing to find fertile soil
to be gathered in…
 
-------------
Written and posted October 9, 2024
each child a seed
typed October 16, 2024
 
&
Edited September 25, 2024
Words call me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/words-call-me-v2.html
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v2.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirit, soul,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirit #soul

Words call me – v2

Words call me, urgent,
I am their servant,
I turn toward them,
leaning into the message,
their cry to my spirit,
to my hands beginning to write…
 
Words speak to me
they are my muse,
words call me, now,
when I am not ready,
when I pay attention,
driving, walking about…
 
Words call me, suddenly,
they woo, they challenge me,
they cry out in despair,
sometimes they shout for joy,
urgent, passionate, emotive words,
words of power, of light…
 
Words will not wait,
I must stop, I must write,
I must remember, to save them,
for the words can be fleeting,
gossamer pulled from the ether,
to be capture, to be written down…
 
-------------
Edited September 25, 2024
Words call me
 
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v2.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirit, soul,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirit #soul
 
 

Words call me

Words speak to me
they are my muse,
words call me, now,
when I am not ready,
when I pay attention,
driving, walking about…
 
Words call me, suddenly,
they woo, they challenge me,
they cry out in despair,
sometimes they shout for joy,
urgent, passionate, emotive words,
words of power, of light…
 
The words will not wait,
I must stop, I must write,
I must remember, to save them,
for the words can be fleeting,
gossamer pulled from the ether,
to be capture, to be written down…
 
-------------
September 19, 2024
Words call me
 
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v2.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirit, soul,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirit #soul

A gift to another’s heart – v2

Our creations, art in its own sense,
All our artistic endeavors, our spirits,
all that we pour into our works,
a life force, awakening, rising,
offered, sent out into the world…
 
A gift from our heart, our spirits,
a kernel of life, of creation itself,
sent to land on an unknown shore,
a gift from one heart to another,
to heal, to give hope, to restore…
 
All that we pour out, an offering,
a piece of infinite space, of life,
treasure planted into the ether,
in time finding their true home,
on some distant shore…
 
---------------
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
 
September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v1
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v1.html
Edited September 18, 2024
One heart speaking – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-heart-speaking-v2.html
 
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=906982137911060&set=a.381701980439081
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls, 

 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls

A gift to another’s heart - v1

Our creations, art in its own sense,
all that we pour into our works,
a life force, awakening, rising,
sent out into the world…
 
A gift from our heart, our spirits,
to land on an unknown shore,
a gift from one heart to another,
to heal, to give hope, to restore…
 
All that we pour out, an offering,
treasure planted into the ether,
in time finding their true home,
on some distant shore…
 
---------------
September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart - v1
 
Edited September 18, 2024
One heart speaking – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-heart-speaking-v2.html
 
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist

“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls

One heart speaking – v2

One heart speaking,
one spirit sharing,
their gifts, their talents,
offering love, hope,
into the chaos of this world…
 
One spirit shining,
so brightly, authentic,
offering love to others,
not knowing who needs to hear,
that which they have been given…
 
One soul rising,
bringing art, creativity,
one heart committed to beauty,
offering something pure, holy,
sharing a gift with the world…
 
---------------
Edited September 18, 2024
One heart speaking – v2
 
September 17, 2024
One heart speaking
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-heart-speaking.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=906982137911060&set=a.381701980439081
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls
 

One heart speaking

One heart speaking,
one spirit sharing,
offering love, hope,
into the chaos of the world…
 
One spirit shining,
offering love to others,
not knowing who needs to hear,
that we have been given…
 
One soul rising,
one heart open to beauty,
offering something pure, holy,
sharing a gift to the world…
 
---------------
September 17, 2024
One heart speaking
 
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=906982137911060&set=a.381701980439081
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls

We each are the gifted – v2

We each are gifted,
set apart for a purpose,
we each have a mission,
a calling in this life…
 
Breathe these words,
this message, this hope,
into your mind, your spirit,
know you have that power…
 
The power to shine brightly,
in your own special space,
we each have our own
calling in this life…
 
Breathe these words,
believe them completely,
you have the power,
to change the world…
 
--------------  
Edited September 5, 2024
We each are gifted – v2
 
Written after watching a video
August 1, 2024
By Parkwood Entertainment
about Simone Biles and the Olympic Gymnastics All-Around
 
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, faith, calling, purpose, gifted, gifts, talents, power, strength, beauty, Simone Biles,
 
#poetry #God #faith #calling #purpose #gifted #gifts #talents #power #strength #beauty #SimoneBiles

Forever Washing My Hands – v2

I can understand the image of Pilate,
trapped between heaven and hell,
living in limbo, in turmoil, judgment,
constantly washing his hands…
 
An image of remorse, of profound regret,
unable to change history, to go back,
to save innocent life, the Messiah,
God here with us…
 
But we are Pilate, guilty,
we caused Christ’s death,
His need to descend,
to give us new life…
 
We each stand beside Pilate,
for we are convicted by sin,
forever washing my hands,
that lead to the cross, the grave…
 
But by grace we are saved,
by blood we are set free,
Christ raised us from the dead,
our hands are washed clean…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTfGpbWv214
----
Edited June 17, 2024
Forever Washing My Hands – v2
 
Written after someone said that my last version
of the poem “Forever washing His hands – v8”
based on the Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
about Pontius Pilate seemed to be written about myself.
In some ways, I think this poem is about each of us,
For our sin, our actions, our choices, caused Christ
To descend to the earth, to climb the cross…
&
edited August 27, 2024
The stain of innocent blood – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-stain-of-innocent-blood-v4.html 
This poem is about the character Pontius Pilate in the novel, Master and Margarita,
by Mikhail Bulgakov, where Pilate is spending eternity, not in heaven or hell,
but trying to wash the innocent blood Jesus Christ from his hands.
This poem is transferring that same nightmarish judgment on Vladimir Putin
for the innocent blood of the people of Ukraine...
originally drafted April 1, 2022, 38 days into the full-scale invasion
&
Edited/new name August 27, 2024
Streets of their cities run red with blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-their-cities-run-red-with.html
&
Edited June 17, 2024
Forever Washing My Hands
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/forever-washing-my-hands.html
Written after someone said that my last version
of this poem seemed to be written about myself.
In some ways, I think this poem is about each of us,
For our sin, our actions, our choices, caused Christ
To descend to the earth, to climb the cross…
&
Edited June 3, 2024
Forever Washing His Hands
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/forever-washing-his-hands.html
edited February 9, 2022
Washing His Hands – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/washing-his-hands-v8.html
edited July 4, 2015
washing his hands – 2 – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/washing-his-hands-2-v5.html
(merging edits to version 3 and version 4)
edited April 11, 2015
the stain on Pilate’s hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-stain-on-pilates-hands-v3.html
(editing version 2)
edited November 5, 2014
My guilt remains – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-guilt-remains-v3.html
Third Sunday in Lent
Luke 13:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Isaiah 55:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Worship Theme – “The Voice of God . . . Pilate”
Call to Worship (Psalm 27:1, 5, 14 God’s Word Translation)
Unison Prayer: (Worship and Song © 2011)
Prayer of Dedication (adapted from GBOD © 2013 Luke 13:1-9)
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2013/03/lenten-dramas.html
This Lenten Season, we are doing something a little different.
We are doing Lenten Dramas from:   http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/home.htm
It is called "The Voice of God". We are hearing conversations between
God and some of the characters that took part in Passion Week.
It has been a "moving experience" for all. . . 
February 13 2013 Ash Wednesday – James  (portrayed by Diane Mitchell)
February 17, 2013 – Judas (portrayal by Ray Foss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZXUSiwG8Dg
March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday! - The Gardner (portrayed by Mary Ann Cioffi)
and Lenten Drama:
(a conversation with Pilate and God after the crucifixion)
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
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 3, 2013
Third Sunday in Lent
Lent
&
earlier poem
December 2, 2006 20:02
“Washing His Hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/12/washing-his-hands.html
Matt 27:1-26; Luke 23:1-25
and The Master and Margarita
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/
by Mikhail Bulgakov
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/01bulgakov/inleiding.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, 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, Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Savior, guilt, sin, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, gifts, calling, Lent, Savior, Pilate, Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, stain,
 
#poetry #God #love #Christ #Spirit #Pilate #Bulgakov #MasterandMargarita #sin #stain

We each are the gifted

We each are gifted,
set apart for a purpose,
we each have a mission,
a calling in this life…
 
Breathe these words,
this message, this hope,
into your mind, your spirit,
know you have that power…
 
The power to shine brightly,
in your own special space,
we each have our own
calling in this life…
 
--------------  
August 13, 2024
We each are gifted
 
Written after watching a video
August 1, 2024
by Parkwood Entertainment
https://x.com/parkwood/status/1819103451969999265
about Simone Biles and the 2024 Olympic Gymnastics All-Around
 
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, faith, calling, purpose, gifted, gifts, talents, power, strength, beauty, Simone Biles, perseverance,
 
#poetry #God #faith #calling #purpose #gifted #gifts #talents #power #strength #beauty #SimoneBiles #perseverance

Forever Washing My Hands

I can understand the image of Pilate,
Trapped between heaven and hell,
Living in limbo, in turmoil,
Constantly washing his hands…
 
An image of remorse, of profound regret,
Unable to change history, to go back,
To save innocent life, the Messiah,
God here with us…
 
But we are Pilate, guilty,
We caused Christ’s death,
His need to descend,
To give us new life…
 
We each stand beside Pilate,
For we are convicted by sin,
Forever washing my hands,
That lead to the cross, the grave…
 
But by grace we are saved,
By blood we are set free,
Christ raised us from the dead,
Our hands are washed clean…
 
----
Edited June 17, 2024
Forever Washing My Hands
 
Written after someone said that my last version
of this poem seemed to be written about myself.
In some ways, I think this poem is about each of us,
For our sin, our actions, our choices, caused Christ
To descend to the earth, to climb the cross…
&
Edited June 3, 2024
Forever Washing His Hands
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/forever-washing-his-hands.html
edited February 9, 2022
Washing His Hands – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/washing-his-hands-v8.html
edited July 4, 2015
washing his hands – 2 – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/washing-his-hands-2-v5.html
(merging edits to version 3 and version 4)
edited April 11, 2015
the stain on Pilate’s hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-stain-on-pilates-hands-v3.html
(editing version 2)
edited November 5, 2014
My guilt remains – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-guilt-remains-v3.html
Third Sunday in Lent
Luke 13:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Isaiah 55:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Worship Theme – “The Voice of God . . . Pilate”
Call to Worship (Psalm 27:1, 5, 14 God’s Word Translation)
Unison Prayer: (Worship and Song © 2011)
Prayer of Dedication (adapted from GBOD © 2013 Luke 13:1-9)
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2013/03/lenten-dramas.html
This Lenten Season, we are doing something a little different.
We are doing Lenten Dramas from:   http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/home.htm
It is called "The Voice of God". We are hearing conversations between
God and some of the characters that took part in Passion Week.
It has been a "moving experience" for all. . . 
February 13 2013 Ash Wednesday – James  (portrayed by Diane Mitchell)
February 17, 2013 – Judas (portrayal by Ray Foss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZXUSiwG8Dg
February 24, 2013 – Peter (portrayal by Marshall Burns)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llPyvx5at-E
March 3, 2013 – Pilate (portrayed by Richard Fleury)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEY_EcCBcd8
March 10, 2013 – Barabbas  (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_rxy_t5U0A
March 17, 2013 - Dysmas (Thief on the cross) (portrayed by Ray Foss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pp7QMPMUfs
March 24, 2013 Palm Sunday
March 28, 2013 Maundy Thursday – The Centurion  (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGeMYrvDOjk
March 29, 2013 Good Friday - Mary Mother of Jesus (portrayed by Kathy Akerman)
March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday! - The Gardner (portrayed by Mary Ann Cioffi)
and Lenten Drama:
(a conversation with Pilate and God after the crucifixion)
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
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 3, 2013
Third Sunday in Lent
Lent
&
March 26, 2013
“Washing His Hands - 2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/03/washing-his-hands-2.html
Matthew 27:17b
Matthew 27:15-26
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=7363
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 26, 2013
read March 26, 2013
&
earlier poem
December 2, 2006 20:02
“Washing His Hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/12/washing-his-hands.html
Matt 27:1-26; Luke 23:1-25
and The Master and Margarita
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/
by Mikhail Bulgakov
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/01bulgakov/inleiding.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, 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, Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Savior, guilt, sin, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, gifts, calling, Lent, Savior, Pilate, Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, stain,
 
#poetry #God #love #Christ #Spirit #Pilate #Bulgakov #MasterandMargarita #sin #stain

Forever Washing His Hands #Pilate #Bulgakov #MasterandMargarita

Can you see him still, through history, a specter,
a soul yet wandering, caught between heaven and hell,
over and over, forever, he must have washed his hands
trying to remove the stain, the tattoo of innocent blood…
 
Blood, he allowed to be spilled, blood of a King
given for His people, those who knew His name
whose oil was kept full, who knew more than anything else
they needed His gift, His boundless mercy, His ultimate sacrifice…
 
His wife knew too, something was wrong, something very wrong
to shed this pure, clean blood, untainted by human sin;
a human life lived godly, that should have been proof enough
especially to those vacillating, questioning, those twelve disciples –
 
How could they walk with Him, hearing His teaching, learning,
watching Him, His actions, His compassion, His humanness,
how could they not have seen He was God incarnate, seeing
His divinity, His pure love, His sinlessness, and not know?
 
He was God; how could Pilate let the rabble dictate the death
of an innocent life, a man that did not threaten Rome, a martyr,
how could he have been so weak, so impotent, washing his  hands,
sacrificing Him, to hang on the cross, instead of Barrabas…
 
Forever washing his hands, no, that didn’t remove his stain
that he must have carried, he must carry still, yet, unfinished
a soul yet wandering, caught between heaven and hell,
like the Master knew and wrote so well…
 
----
Edited June 3, 2024
Forever Washing His Hands
 
edited February 9, 2022
Washing His Hands – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/washing-his-hands-v8.html
edited July 4, 2015
washing his hands – 2 – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/washing-his-hands-2-v5.html
(merging edits to version 3 and version 4)
edited April 11, 2015
the stain on Pilate’s hands – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-stain-on-pilates-hands-v3.html
(editing version 2)
edited November 5, 2014
My guilt remains – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-guilt-remains-v3.html
Third Sunday in Lent
Luke 13:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Isaiah 55:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Worship Theme – “The Voice of God . . . Pilate”
Call to Worship (Psalm 27:1, 5, 14 God’s Word Translation)
Unison Prayer: (Worship and Song © 2011)
Prayer of Dedication (adapted from GBOD © 2013 Luke 13:1-9)
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2013/03/lenten-dramas.html
This Lenten Season, we are doing something a little different.
We are doing Lenten Dramas from:   http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/home.htm
It is called "The Voice of God". We are hearing conversations between
God and some of the characters that took part in Passion Week.
It has been a "moving experience" for all. . . 
February 13 2013 Ash Wednesday – James  (portrayed by Diane Mitchell)
February 17, 2013 – Judas (portrayal by Ray Foss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZXUSiwG8Dg
February 24, 2013 – Peter (portrayal by Marshall Burns)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llPyvx5at-E
March 3, 2013 – Pilate (portrayed by Richard Fleury)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEY_EcCBcd8
March 10, 2013 – Barabbas  (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_rxy_t5U0A
March 17, 2013 - Dysmas (Thief on the cross) (portrayed by Ray Foss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pp7QMPMUfs
March 24, 2013 Palm Sunday
March 28, 2013 Maundy Thursday – The Centurion  (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGeMYrvDOjk
March 29, 2013 Good Friday - Mary Mother of Jesus (portrayed by Kathy Akerman)
March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday! - The Gardner (portrayed by Mary Ann Cioffi)
and Lenten Drama:
(a conversation with Pilate and God after the crucifixion)
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
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 3, 2013
Third Sunday in Lent
Lent
&
March 26, 2013
“Washing His Hands - 2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/03/washing-his-hands-2.html
Matthew 27:17b
Matthew 27:15-26
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=7363
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 26, 2013
read March 26, 2013
&
earlier poem
December 2, 2006 20:02
“Washing His Hands
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/12/washing-his-hands.html
Matt 27:1-26; Luke 23:1-25
and The Master and Margarita
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/
by Mikhail Bulgakov
http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/01bulgakov/inleiding.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, Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Savior, guilt, sin, Spirit, gifts, calling, Lent, Savior, Pilate, Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, stain,
 
#poetry #God #love #Christ #Spirit #Pilate #Bulgakov #MasterandMargarita #sin #stain