The Stigma of Difference – v6

The stigma of difference

little things really

setting us apart

a stain upon us

in their jaundiced eyes

a shame the way we divide

ourselves from one another

when we are all one

fallen before the Lord

each of us sinners

all of us lost in the world

we need to remember

none are better than any other

all of us with feet of clay

needing Christ to have life

to find rest in the Lord

==================

edited September 24, 2019

The Stigma of Difference – v6

Edited October 5, 2013

(not found so reposted 9/24/19)

The Stigma of Difference – v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-stigma-of-difference-v5.html

Edited September 25, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-stigma-of-difference-v4.html

 (editing original again)

Edited August 23, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-stigma-of-difference-v3.html

edited May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-stigma-of-difference-v2.html

May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/different-stairs-v2.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 52,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Faith, God, Christ, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, God’s purpose, calling, Raymond A. Foss, servant, laity, law, witness, caring, service, racism, homophobia, hospitality,

#Faith #God #Christ #love #grace #purpose #calling #servant #LGBT #law #witness #service #racism #homophobia #hospitality

The Stigma of Difference – v5

The stigma of difference

little things really

setting us apart

a stain upon us

when we are all one

fallen before the Lord

each of us sinners

all of us lost in the world

none better than the others

all with feet of clay

needing Christ to have life

to rest in the Lord

==================

edited September 24, 2019

The Stigma of Difference – v6

Edited October 5, 2013

(not found so reposted 9/24/19)

The Stigma of Difference – v5

Edited September 25, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-stigma-of-difference-v4.html

 (editing original again)

Edited August 23, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-stigma-of-difference-v3.html

edited May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-stigma-of-difference-v2.html

May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/different-stairs-v2.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 52,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Faith, God, Christ, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, God’s purpose, calling, Raymond A. Foss, servant, laity, law, witness, caring, service, racism, homophobia, hospitality,

#Faith #God #Christ #love #grace #purpose #calling #servant #LGBT #law #witness #service #racism #homophobia #hospitality

Human Rights – v2

Basic human rights

to love and to live

offered to each one,

only by the Father to give.

We cannot take them

for they are not truly ours;

but we can harm them

if we do not show love.

We are called to service

to love God and to our neighbor

to not judge another, an other,

but to offer the world hope.

We are messengers of our Savior

witnesses to His power,

able to heal us with His sacrifice

to raise us from the dead.

We must not be stumbling blocks

fetters on our neighbors’ feet;

we should be fitting them

with wings on which to fly.

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

edited August 28, 2019

Human Rights – v2

May 27, 2011

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/human-rights.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 51,700+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

F aith, God, Christ, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, God’s purpose, calling, Raymond A. Foss, servant, laity, law, witness, caring, service, racism, homophobia, hospitality, NH

#Faith #God #Christ #love #grace #Poetry #purpose #calling #servant #laity #law #witness #caring #service #racism #homophobia #hospitality #NH

Pernicious – v2

Are we complicit

when we stand in silence;

Pernicious discrimination

devaluing our neighbors.

Excluding them from inclusion

blind to the judging;

Letting others abuse

our sisters and our brothers.

We must stand, we must speak out,

God is calling all of us to an awakening;

Looking at where boundaries are established

when we create stumbling blocks to full inclusion.

Not being silent before those who separate

who judge our neighbors;

Standing in the breach

with our brother, our Savior.

We are called to this mission, this purpose,

to speak out against repression;

The little insidious slights uttered

and the pernicious patterns of behavior.

====

edited May 9, 2015

Pernicious – v2

May 27, 2011

Pernicious

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/pernicious.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 37,530+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Attacked for who they are – v2

The most vile abuse

in the school, the playground

at work, out in the world

nothing important, worthy

targeted because of their difference

attacked for who they are

just because of their color, their race

their sexual orientation

Judging others, setting boundaries

barriers for inclusion

just for who they are

edited March 11, 2014

Attacked for who they are – v2

May 27, 2011

Attacked for who they are

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/attacked-for-who-they-are.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 28,340+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Filled with Compassion – v2

Christ loved us anyway

judging us not, though he could

filled with compassion

sharing his life with us

Eating with the outcasts

Samaritans and the others

the women, the lepers

with all who were left out

We are to follow his example

to love even for our enemies

offering love and kindness

in our walk on this earth

Loving our neighbors

giving of our lives

offering them our witness

so no more may die

Edited October 30, 2013

Filled with Compassion – v2

May 27, 2011

Filled with Compassion

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/filled-with-compassion.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,280+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Stigma of Difference – v5

The stigma of difference

little things really

setting us apart

a stain upon us

when we are all one

fallen before the Lord

each of us sinners

all of us lost in the world

none better than the others

all with feet of clay

needing Christ to have life

to rest in the Lord

Edited October 5, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v5

Edited September 25, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-stigma-of-difference-v4.html

 (editing original again)

Edited August 23, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v3

May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/different-stairs-v2.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 40,140+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Stigma of Difference – v4

The stigma of difference

little things really

setting us apart

a stain upon us

when we are all one

fallen before the Lord

each of us sinners

all of us lost

none better than the rest

all with feet of clay

needing Christ to have rest

peace, always

Edited September 25, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v4

(editing original again)

Edited August 23, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v3

May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/different-stairs-v2.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

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 40,140+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Stigma of Difference – v3

The stigma of difference

not even acknowledged

blind, complicit

always in secret, denial

setting us apart

when we are all one

fallen before the Lord

each of us sinners

none better than the rest

all with feet of clay

needing Christ to be whole

righteous, worthy

nothing about us

different before God

Edited August 23, 2013

The Stigma of Difference – v3

May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/different-stairs-v2.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 24,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Stigma of Difference – v2

The stigma of difference

setting us apart

when we are all one

fallen before the Lord

each of us sinners

in the same place

none better than the rest

all with feet of clay

needing Christ to have rest

Edited August 15, 2013

“The Stigma of Difference – v2”

May 27, 2011

The Stigma of Difference

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/stigma-of-difference.html

racial bullying at Pembroke Academy

and

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta United Methodist Church

http://rirutaumc.homestead.com

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 24,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

If we hate our brothers

If we hate our brothers, our sisters
just for who they are
can we love our God
with all our hearts

Is our strength weakened
our love watered down
if we judge our neighbors
keeping them on the ground

How are we called
what would Jesus do
if he saw us set apart
not part of one flock

How will we be judged
by the one who climbed the cross
would he recognize himself
in our actions and our walk

May 28, 2011
in part based on racial slurs at Pembroke Academy
and
in part based on slurs based on mental disabilities heard at
Pembroke Village School
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha around GLBTI persecution in Africa
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Riruta UMC
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,900+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Filled with Compassion

Christ loved us anyway
judging us not
filled with compassion
sharing his life with us

Eating with the outcasts
the Samaritans and the others
the women, the lepers
with all who were left out

We are to follow his example
love even for our enemies
offering love and kindness
in our walk on this earth

Loving our neighbors
giving of our lives
offering them our witness
so no more may die

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

The Voice of Inclusion

With the prostitutes, the tax collectors
with the unclean, the lepers
Christ is the voice of inclusion
showing us his example
loving all whom he met
offering even Judas
his body, his blood
his sacrifice on the cross
All of us sinners
while we yet lived in sin
going to Calvary
showing us how to live

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Human Rights

Basic human rights
to love and to live
offered to each
only by the Father to give

We cannot take them
for they are not truly ours
but we can harm them
if we do not show love

We are called to service
to love God and our neighbor
to not judge another
but offer the world hope

Messengers of our Savior
witnesses to his power
able to heal us with his sacrifice
to raise us from the ground

We must not be stumbling blocks
fetters on our neighbors’ feet
we should be fitting them
with wings on which to fly

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Human Dignity

So easily thrown away
so easily tossed out
if we bar their way
if we cast our neighbors out

Ours to gather in
to make one flock
to gather in all the lost sheep
till none of them is lost

Not to judge the world
to look into others’ hearts
leaving the judging to God
offering them love instead

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Stepping Stones - 2

Maybe patience
perseverance in adversity
staying on the path
stepping stones laid
to make the way easier
over the space of time
trying to be faithful
until that time is now.

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Marking Another

Marking another
different from us
as if that made them unworthy
unable to approach the cross

All of us human
with feet made of clay
all needing Jesus
at the end of our days

We all are fallen
abiding in sin
needing our Savior
in the end to begin

Only new life through his grace
his sacrifice on the cross
we should love one another
because of that cost

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

The Stigma of Difference

The stigma of difference
setting us apart
when we are all one
fallen before the Lord
each of us sinners
none better than the rest
all with feet of clay
needing Christ to have rest

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,890+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Pernicious

Are we complicit
when we stand in silence
pernicious discrimination
devaluing our neighbor

Excluding them from inclusion
blind to the judging
letting others abuse
our sisters and our brothers

We must stand, we must speak
calling all of us to an awakening
looking at where boundaries are established
stumbling blocks to full inclusion

Not being silent before those who separate
who judge our neighbors
standing in the breach
with our brother, our Savior

We are called to this
to speak out against repression
the little insidious slights
and the pernicious patterns of behavior

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,880+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Attacked for who they are

The most vile abuse
targeted because of their difference
attacked for who they are
just because of their color, their race
their sexual orientation
Judging others, setting boundaries
barriers for inclusion
just who for they are

May 27, 2011
racial bullying at Pembroke Academy
and
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505
Riruta United Methodist Church
http://rirutaumc.homestead.com
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,880+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.