Out of the Chaos – v3

From out of the chaos, the void

in the beginning, God created

all made by the Creator,

all from nothingness, the chaos

the universe, the earth

the seas, the dry places

the waters, the plants, the creatures

and then man, all was good,

good in God’s sight,

very good indeed

====

edited July 11, 2015

Out of the Chaos – v3

(editing original)

Edited August 5, 2013

“Out of the Chaos – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/out-of-chaos-v2.html

September 26, 2008

“Out of the Chaos”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/09/out-of-chaos.html

Genesis 1

September 26, 2008

An Image of the Garden

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/09/image-of-garden.html

Genesis 1, Genesis 2

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,260+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

An Image of the Garden – v2

I often dream, daydream,

imagining the Garden

the world forming, from nothingness

the heavens, the waters tamed

The garden, a home for the animals

for Adam, for Eve

dominion given, stewards

of this good earth

Lush, verdant, green

balanced, ordered,

God’s own creation

God’s plan for eternity

Walking, communing with the Creator

lingering, unburdened, walking

How I wish we all could

that we all would live in that garden

------

edited July 11, 2015

An Image of the Garden – v2

September 26, 2008

An Image of the Garden

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/09/image-of-garden.html

Genesis 1, Genesis 2

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,250+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Stewards of the Earth – v3

Our time here fleeting,

our record lost in time;

The world needing

our loving care sometimes

We are to be guardians,

not merely consumers;

Stewards of the earth

so we are called

To walk lightly,

in the world, so precious;

To remember the earth

and all who will follow

====

edited December 26, 2014

Stewards of the Earth – v3

edited February 27, 2014

Stewards of the Earth – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/02/stewards-of-earth-v2.html

October 15, 2009

Stewards of the Earth

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/10/stewards-of-earth.html

Blog Action Day

http://www.blogactionday.org

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Stewards of the Earth – v2

Our time here fleeting

our record lost in time

The world needing

our loving care sometimes

We are to be guardians

not merely consumers

stewards of the earth

so we are called

To walk lightly

in the world, so precious,

to remember the earth

and all who will follow

edited February 27, 2014

Stewards of the Earth – v2

October 15, 2009

Stewards of the Earth

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/10/stewards-of-earth.html

Blog Action Day

http://www.blogactionday.org

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 28,120+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Not for Sale in California

After I was finished
mowing my lawn
noting the sticker
affixed to the engine

Wishing our whole nation
a national standard
the plant more in our collective thoughts
protecting all our people

Not for sale in California
so the sign read
as I sit on my front steps
smelling the smoke of many chimneys
oblivious to the consequences
of our actions on future generations


October 10, 2010
http://www.350.org/en
October 10, 2010


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,120+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

He alone is the Creator

God alone
he is the creator
by his hands
all came into being
the work of his loving hands

We are the stewards
to care for the earth
servants of our loving God
tending the world he created
following his command

To work the land
the garden of the earth
what we were created to do
sheep of his flock
messengers of his grace
gardeners in the field
humble servants of God


August 4, 2010
Genesis 2:4-15
2 Chronicles 2:12
&
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=8&day=2&year=2010
for August 2, 2010, read August 4, 2010
“God’s Creation”,
by Thomas Risager

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Praying for the Garden

Reflecting, on our place in the garden
our role in its suffering, its need for rest
spending time with the creator
each of us praying for the garden
that it would be healed

So much of our world
yearning for peace
for rest from war, oppression, abuse
stewards, not consumers
of this good, good earth

On our knees, humbly before God
asking what we can do
to bring healing to the world
Sabbath from our labors, our excesses
peace to this wonderful earth


December 29, 2009
Philippians 4:4-7
Exodus 23:10-12
Genesis 2:4b-9, 15
Part of sermon series – “sermon, “And I Will Give You Rest”, Parts 1 and 2,
drafted by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
prepared for both Boston University School of Theology coursework
and Suncook United Methodist Church
&
Philippians 4:4-7
Exodus 23:10-12
Isaiah 12:2-6 (Call to Worship)
Psalm 150, United Methodist Hymnal #862 (Responsive Prayer)
Genesis 1:26-30
Worship Theme: “Advent Conspiracy: Thou Shalt Rest”
sermon, “And I Will Give You Rest”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
December 13, 2009
Third Sunday of Advent
part of a series of sermons,
using the Advent Conspiracy
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
&
Pastoral Letter of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church
“God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action”, at:
http://www.umc.org/atf/cf/%7BDB6A45E4-C446-4248-82C8-E131B6424741%7D/GRC_Pastoral%20Ltr.pdf
& more worship resources at:
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=48267
&
Bill McKibben,
http://www.billmckibben.com/
December 10, 2009
“The Moral Math of Climate Change”
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/
Speaking of Faith
&
http://www.350.org/
350.org
&
http://en.cop15.dk/
15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15)

Copenhagen Climate Conference

My prayer is that real progress can be made.

Blog Action Day 2009 - Climate Change

One day, one issue, thousands of voices.

Blog Action Day
http://www.blogactionday.org

Walking to School

The temperature below freezing
car covered in frost
left in the driveway
their protests rising
walking to school
to lower our footprint
better for us as well
Simple steps
make a difference
if we each do our part


October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day

Lapping at our feet

What will it take
to prove the science
before the ice caps melt
what will we need to show
to make us change our behavior
before the water is lapping at our feet?


October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day

#BAD09

Stewards of the Earth

We are to be
not merely consumers
stewards of the earth
so we are called
To walk lightly
in the world
so precious
to remember the earth
and all who will follow
Our time here fleeting
our record lost in time
The world needing
our loving care alone


October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day

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 28,100+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The World Waiting

The earth warming
the world waiting
impatiently
for America to lead
the carbon country
great consumers
needing to step up
and take the stage


October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day

#BAD09

In Our Shadow – Twitter version

The world, waiting for us to lead
to take ownership, responsibility
Wake up, lead America

October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day

In Our Shadow

The world, waiting for us to lead
to take ownership, responsibility
our consumption, our desires
hurting our planet
Our quest, for possessions
for more, leisure, independence
forgetting our stewardship
our duty in the world
loving our neighbors
treasuring our world
this good earth
warming by the minute

October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,910+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Freedom with Reverence

Humility, a humbleness with power
calling us, praying that we, that our nation
may use our freedom, our liberty, our might
our freedom with reverence, our calling
from the beginning of time
stewards of the world; but humans only,
far below the mind of God

Our prayer in remembrance of our dead,
of our saints who have gone before,
of those living and those yet to come
a call itself to servanthood
the awesome responsibility
not just the going on our own
turning to God, as the source of our strength


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Prayers of the People, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, April 22, 2009, Earth Day, Boston University School of Theology, Marsh Chapel, Boston, MA

Eternal Spirit of the universe, you make a pink flower from a gray seed, an ear from a kernel, a carrot from a seed the size of a pinhead, an oak tree from an acorn. You have programmed your soil to provide food for your plants, wooden trees to make apples, feathered hens to lay eggs, grass-eating cows to give milk. And you, grand Creator, you have us take care of your grand creation. In your mercy, Sustainer of all, send rain to water our crops and gardens. Let your sun shine on our fields so that seeds will produce abundantly, so that vines and stalks and trees will hang heavy with fruit and grain. And God, let your grace be as rich to our cattle as it is to us; let it keep our hogs free of disease, our hens laying eggs, and our cows giving milk. May our animals be fertile; may our lambs and calves and pigs frolic in your green pastures so that even in their play we may see your grace.

In Your mercy,

Hear our prayer

Eternal Father-Mother-God, help us to live on your good earth, preserving and caring for the life and soil you bless, ever thankful that for our good you gave your laws of nature and your law of love. Help us for our good and your glory to see those laws as you see them and as the psalmist saw them, as good and perfect, pleasant to think about. Fountain of wisdom, teach us to share the abundance you have given us, never gloating in our excess but always giving our first bushels to feed the hungry in your name. Enlighten our hearts so that our thank-yous ever rise in a crescendo to your throne.

In Your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God of beauty and of justice, we pray for the earth, for restoration of soil, air, and water. We pray for all people you have created, for restoration of dignity and hope. We pray for our nation and community, for restoration of our sense of responsibility in service. We pray even for ourselves, for restoration of our resolve to love you and the world you made.

In Your mercy,

Hear our prayer

O Great Spirit whose voice we hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear us. We come before you as your children. We are small and weak; we need your strength and wisdom. Let us walk in beauty and make our eyes ever behold the purple and red sunset. May our hands respect the things you have made, our ears to be sharp to hear your voice. Make us wise, so that we may know the things you have taught your people, the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. We seek strength not to be superior to our brothers and sisters, but to live in harmony with ourselves and all your creation. Help us to be ever ready to come to you, so when life fades as a fading sunset, our spirits may come to you without shame. In Christ’s name we pray.

AMEN

This prayer meshed together language from the United Methodist Book of Worship and the Worship Sourcebook.

In Meeting

In the act of meeting,
In Congress, a body politic;
but unlike a select few, direct democracy
people showing up, standing up,
speaking their minds, sharing from their hearts
out of their fears, out of their duty,
their sense of responsibility for our world
even in hard times, standing up,
speaking with a clear voice –
that now was the time,
this was our moment
to gather as a people in the hall
and affirm a change, though there is cost,
a change that will reap rewards
both real and intangible
to spend so that we may save
to act so that our heirs
will share a little more
a better world passed on
to them; in meeting today
we did those who came before proud
honoring their sacrifice, and the beliefs
they have fought and died for alive
once more, gathering together
a people acting out of duty,
out of right, out of responsibility
one person, one vote, in open meeting
before our neighbors accountable
for this season, and a future yet to come

March 14, 2009
Town Meeting
Pembroke, NH
on the passing of warrants to start
mandatory recycling and
automated trash collection

Your Presence

Eyes to see your presence
your presence in all things, your grace
in all things, everywhere, all around us
your love, in all of creation, in our neighbor’s face
in the slumber of children, your presence in us
if we would let your light shine
to feel you, your will, in the whisper of our cells
our very being, calling out your message
for us to be you in this world
to serve our fellow man, to be stewards
of this beautiful earth given for us
to live simply, to look for, see your presence
with eyes that would see you
walking with us, assuring us
all around us, wherever we go


January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

Tithing Time

We were challenged, asked
from the lectern, quiet in the sanctuary
if we were faithful with all our gifts
not just our money, our fruits
Asking if we tithed our time to God,
if we gave a tenth of our days
A challenge to ponder,
in this season of faith
to give more to the creator
from all he has given me

November 9, 2008
Stewardship moment
Suncook United Methodist Church