Waterboarding = Torture

Waterboarding is torture - always!

There is no process that makes it anything other than torture.

America must never use torture.

America must never use waterboarding!

I am horrified that members of our government have engaged in waterboarding and I am even more horrified that people in our government are working to justify it, both before they did it and now.

You do not fight terrorism with terror.

How can we demand that other parties follow the rule of law when we do not?

http://people.howstuffworks.com/water-boarding.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding

A Herd of Footprints

A stampede, a herd, a huge wave
went before us, a herd of footprints
in the new-fallen, wet, thick snow
some overlapping, some pristine
in the dense slush
Footprints of eager children
walking, running, stomping to school
for another day of learning,
right around the corner from home
a wave of children, crashing on the gates
bringing giggles and bags
into the schoolhouse doors

February 5, 2008

In His Talons

Okay, so I don’t know it was a male hawk;
but “in its talons” didn’t sound as good;
but I digress.
The well-stripped carcass, meat exposed
that so recently was beating flesh
back against the ice and snow below.
A raptor eating its prey in the side yard
in February, in the cold.
Yellow eyes staring at me, watching me,
slithering on my belly across the snow,
in a second pair of jeans, to capture more shots
more pictures, intrusions on his mealtime.
Little bits of down fluttered in the breeze,
clung to the hawk’s wet beak, its own feathers
huddled against himself, to stanch the cold
Eagerly completing its lunch,
ready to soar again
“if this stupid human would only leave me alone.”
Point taken, sir.

February 4, 2008
on the hawk I photographed a year ago,
reminded of him yesterday by the new carcass remains
in our driveway

4 years of blogging

Today, 2/4/08, marks the 4th year for this blog, with 2,171 poems now posted, with 1,088 in the last year. I hope you like what you find here.

Pools of Living Light

Drink from these
deep pools of effervescent light
endless springs of living water
dip your cur, your chalice
quench your abiding thirst
with the water of life, light to the world
the ministry, the forgiveness,
the redeeming through the Son,
the way back to the Father
drench in the water, the living light
hope to the world
for a better home
after this work is done

February 3, 2008 & February 4, 2008

In Brilliance

In brilliance, He was transformed
radiant white light, shimmering on the mountain
God revealed the holiness of the Christ
the beloved Son of the Most High, of man
changed on the mountain, fulfilling
what was begun in the River
when out of the water he rose
and the Spirit fell upon him
now, in brilliance
the law, the prophets
fulfilled, revealed, in communion
up on the mountain
the light shone in him
in preparation
for the final journey

February 3, 2008
Matthew 17:1-9

Captive Roses

beautiful, long stemmed,
perfect blooms, captive blooms
in the vases, of gifts of love
from her, from me, from them
giving in love, captured on
the digital screen, the memory card,
the ether emulsion
of this new age
images of beauty,
preserved in the camera
to be shared, remembered
into the future
long after the bud fades

February 1, 2008

Captive Roses

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/02/captive-roses.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 30,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Quick Call

My phone ringing, too early for work
a quick call, bringing a smile to my face
My wife, calling to wish me well,
a good day today, a promise of a quick return
from grad school this afternoon
“I love you’s” exchanged over the air
reaching eager hearts
a quick call changing my day,
for the better

January 31, 2008

Using Our Gifts

spending time in the vineyard, the field,
the orchard, using our gifts, to be messengers,
to be brothers, sisters, to be hands and feet
to be the light in the world, the light to the nations
in our time, in our place, to be the word, the hands
of the savior, the loving hands of God, healing,
lifting, comforting our neighbors, all of them,
lending a hand, a kind word, good works,
and the message of redemption, of saving grace
using the gifts we have been given, all important
to the work of the church, of spreading the good news
to all the nations, all the world

January 30, 2008

Daggers of Ice

A cascade, a crescendo
a waterfall
a torrent
daggers of ice,
hanging from the rusty
fire escape, menacing, hanging
frozen fury, captured, preserved
on the metal rails, the black paint
peeling under the stilettos
not quite vertical lines, frozen motion
yearning for the ground
angles from the wind, the storm
sound too frozen, in the drip, drip,
staccato in the melting,
of the daggers of ice

January 30, 2008
from a memory, a photograph long lost
of the old fire escape at the rear of
Thompson Hall, UNH, Durham,
removed long ago

Parted – haiku – 1

seas gave way, parted
chosen people were set free
their enemies drown

January 29, 2008

The Bush – haiku – 1

non-consuming flame
God spoke from within the fire -
Moses listened

January 29, 2008

The Ark – haiku – 2

Two by two they came
into the ark, safe and dry
watched by Noah

January 29, 2008

The Ark – haiku – 1

Gather two by two
all the animals come nigh
safe in the ark; Flood!

January 29, 2008

Sacrifice – haiku – 1

The Lamb died for me
He bore all my sin, my shame
sacrifice of love

January 29, 2008

Forgiven – haiku – 1

saved, forgiven
my sins all washed away
I rise, for He did

January 29, 2008

Nails – haiku – 1

piercing His hands, feet
pinned to the rugged cross
our savior, bled, died

January 29, 2008

Victor – haiku – 1 – v2

Death no more sting, rule
the stone was rolled away
Rose victorious

January 29, 2008

Victor – haiku – 1 – v1

Death no more sting, rule
the stone was rolled away
He rose, a victor

January 29, 2008

Effervescent Light – 1 – v2

Light, diffused, piercing the dark
fireworks, crescendo
turning the night to day
explosive, glorious

So is God’s love
manifested in the Son’s rising
Champion over sin, death

January 29, 2008

Effervescent Light – 1 – v1

Light, diffused, piercing the dark
fireworks, crescendo
turning the night to day
explosive, glorious

January 29, 2008

A light to the nations – haiku – 1

Effervescent light
infusing the darkness, world
bubbling with hope

January 29, 2008

Light – haiku – 2

A ray of His light
piercing the darkness around
So we are to be

January 29, 2008 17:59

A Well

A well spring of living water
giving life to the body,
the spirit, as of God,
living within us, the Word
living in us, through us
life giving water, coursing
through us, in us
our veins, our beings
imbued, permeated,
saturated, with living water,
if we but drink

January 29, 2008 17:58

A Gallon of Milk

I received this in an email this morning. I didn't want to load up in boxes of people who would flame me, and I wanted to send it as widely as I could, so I am sharing this with the world. May this simple message speak to us all. If you like it, forward it; if not, that's okay too. Ray

=====

This will give you the chills........

GOOD chills.

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study.

The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice

The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?"

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message.

Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.

He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.

But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

"Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn Down that street."

This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.

Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will."

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.

The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."

The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

"Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?"

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you." The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.

Then from d own the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.

The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk."

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face.

He knew that God still answers prayers.

THIS IS A SIMPLE TEST.... If you believe that God is alive and well, send this to at least ten people and the person that sent it to you!!!!!!!!

This is so true. Sometimes it's the simplest things that God asks us to do that cause us, if we are obedient to what He's asking, to be able to hear. His voice more clear than ever. Please listen, and obey! It will bless you (and the world). Phil 4:13

This is an easy test - you score 100 or zero. It's your choice.

If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

Not ashamed...Pass this on.
--------

Like I said above, forward or not; it is your choice.

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 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fishermen Leaving the Sea

He who would call himself living water,
called the fishermen out of the sea,
away from their boats, the fishing nets
to live itinerant traveling lives
to walk the dusty roads, the pathways
of the region, following him, studying
at his feet, by his side;

Drinking in water, lessons, experiences
as he walked the land, touched the lepers,
healing the sick, the lost, the tormented
Living with him, without roof or bed,
nomadic missionaries on the dusty roads
fishermen away from the sea
living not by bread alone
drinking in the living water
so they too could be poured out
like a libation, soothing
other restless souls
after he was gone

January 29, 2008

Deep Pools

Deep pools of living, loving water
so is our Lord, overflowing with hope
hope that we will come to him,
will ask, seek, accept his offer of love
that we will want that relationship
personal and face to face
with the creator, sustainer, savior
that we will drink from the endless well
drink in the light, the life-giving warmth
the saturating water, permeating our dry bones
giving life where there was death, despair
renewing, restoring us, calling us
to be with him, in him, in the world only
turning our backs on the will of this world
the temptations, the wilderness, dry and barren
to fall into his deep pools of love

January 29, 2008

Judging - haiku – 1

He will come to judge
both the living and the dead
All may be saved

January 28, 2008

A Dove - haiku – 1 – v2

A dove heralded
the end of the cleansing flood
the ark on dry land

January 28, 2008

A Dove - haiku – 1 – v1

A dove heralded
the end of the cleansing flood
ark rested – dry land

January 28, 2008

The Three – haiku – 1 – v3

Three criminals hung
crosses, heavy and final;
For two, not the end

January 28, 2008

The Three – haiku – 1 – v2

Three criminals hung
crosses, heavy and final;
One rose to save us

January 28, 2008

The Three – haiku – 1 – v1

Three criminals hung
crosses, heavy and solid
One rose to save us

January 28, 2008

The Stone – haiku – 2

Risen from the dead
sin lost its hold on mankind
Christ healed the breach

January 28, 2008

The Stone – haiku – 1

stone rolled away
an empty tomb revealed
He was alive, light

January 28, 2008

The Curtain – haiku

Curtain torn apart
life came out of the light, Christ
Darkness fell on earth

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

edited July 30, 2019

The Curtain – haiku – v2

January 28, 2008

The Curtain – haiku

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/01/curtain-haiku.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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 51,130+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, curtain, earth, Faith, God, haiku, hope, Jesus, Jesus Christ, life, light, Messiah, poem, poetry, redeemer, resurrection, sacrifice, salvation, savior,

#Christ #curtain #earth #Faith #God #haiku #hope #Jesus #JesusChrist #life #light #Messiah #poem #poetry #redeemer #resurrection #sacrifice #salvation #savior

Darkness – haiku

This prison, this earth
Testing for eternity
Free will is darkness

January 28, 2008

Torn – haiku

Heavens opened
A voice from on high, blessing
the tear healed then

January 28, 2008

Pierced – haiku

His side pierced
stabbed by centurion –
a wound for doubters

January 28, 2008

Tempted – haiku

Tempted by Satan
Tempted in the wilderness
He stayed true to God

January 27, 2008
Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon, "Follow the Leader", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 27, 2008, prepared for worship - Sanbornville, United Methodist Church, Wakefield, NH

Matthew 4: 12-23

“Follow the Leader”

How many of you remember playing follow the leader when you were a child? (pause) I sure remember. As a matter of fact…I still get into a good game of it with my daughters. It gets silly after a while when they realize that I know how to follow their lead. I also liked playing “Simon Says” when I was little…and still do now. It’s all about following the leader. In today’s scripture from Matthew…we see these fisher men playing follow the leader. Jesus came by and said “Follow Me”…and they immediately got into the “game.”

Following the leader…what kind of leader was Jesus any way? He wasn’t the type of leader that took things by force…He taught love and patience. He didn’t have a large army of fighting men ready to take over the city…He had a band of fishermen and a tax collector. He even hung out with sinners…prostitutes…tax collectors and the like (for shame!). So what type of leader was He? Why did these men stop what they were doing…walk away from their lives and families they had…just to follow this man…this prophet…of their time?

Well…one thing that they may have felt was the urgency of Jesus’ ministry. We have to remember…just before this time…Jesus had been in the desert for 40 days and was tested there by the tempter…now we don’t know if it was actually Satan that tempted Him there but we assume it was Satan…all it tells us is that it was the “tempter…the devil.” Now that His time of tempting was over it was time for Him to get on with His ministry…a ministry of Redemption.

This was what He came to earth for…to be that Redemptive “bridge” over the gap that was made in the Garden of Eden…to Redeem humanity back to the life that was lost there. Jesus immediately started to teach in the synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing disease and sickness among the people. (Redeeming Grace…was redeeming them …saving them… from their disease and sickness… giving them…a new start in life…that could and can only be found through Him)

So…why would these men…who obviously were making some kind of living…stop what they were doing and follow this man who came with the message “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near”? My thought on this is that they knew there was something different about Jesus. It could have been that they could see the Holy Spirit at work in Him somehow. Maybe the way that they were called by Jesus…the urgency in His voice…a glint in His eye…made them realize that what He was doing was far more important than anything else they could be doing in their lives. Whatever the reason…they followed Him immediately…without question. All Jesus said was “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”…Ray wrote a poem a while ago called “And Follow Me,” and it makes me think of what those words actually meant. It reads:

Follow me, on my journey
My ministry, around the Sea
Galilee, your homeland,
No longer fishermen,
Now you will be fishers of men,
Harvesters for the kingdom
Of the good news,
The news of m coming,
My fulfillment, my mission
Of service and saving
Of spirit and law,
Of water and the Word
Fishers of another sort fishers of men
When you leave all
And follow me.

I wonder if they really knew what following would mean?

So…Jesus was the leader of these first disciples. What kind of things…what kind of actions…did He model in this position…what did He do to make Him such a leader of men? Well first…Jesus didn’t take the world by storm…He did the opposite…He showed mercy and love. There are countless stories throughout the Gospels that talk about Jesus’ compassion for those around Him. From healing the sick…teaching about kindness (remember the Beatitudes? Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven…Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted…Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth…sound familiar?)…teaching about how things should be and how we should act in life (His parables were wonderful lessons on that). Jesus was the model for His disciples that He had then and those who would follow. (Follow the Leader)

As a matter of fact…in one of His healings…instead of telling the man he was healed…He actually got His hands dirty…not figuratively…but actually got His hands dirty. It is the healing story of the blind men. When Jesus healed this man…He bent down...picked up dirt…spit into it…made mud…put it on the man’s eyes (that healing touch) and healed him.(John 9:6) (Follow the Leader)

Jesus was not about Himself…Jesus was all about the Redemption…of those around Him. Redemption…what is this word redemption…what is meant by this word…how does this word relate to Jesus and His ministry? I know that we are redeemed from sin by His death on the cross and through accepting Him as my Lord and Savior I am redeemed but how did this play out in His ministry to others on earth?

The word Redeem…In the On-Line Dictionary by Farlex it states:
2. redeem - restore the honor or worth of

Some Synonyms are reestablish, reinstate, restore - bring back into original existence, use, function, or position;

I really like this definition…restore to honor or worth…reinstate…reestablish…restore. (WOW!)

Through the blood of Jesus…I…we…are reinstated with God…our relationship…has been reestablished with our Creator. When Jesus did all of His Miracles of healing He was redeeming them…restoring them…back to fullness so that they could reestablish their life in the society that they lived in. (Glory…we are redeemed!) (Follow the Leader)

So…we as Christians… are the Redeemed…the Disciples of Christ…what are we to do to carry on with…to continue…Jesus’ ministry of redemption? What can we do to bring about restoration to those around us? How can we Follow Jesus’ example and reestablish…restore…the lives of those around us?

This week…I was reading the Upper Room Disciplines 2008. It’s a book of daily devotions and I have found it a wonderful way to begin my day. It helps me set my sights on above for my day. It helps me to contemplate God’s word. If you haven’t taken a look at this devotional book I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to draw closer to God and what God wants us to be in this world. It goes by the The Revised Common Lectionary for the week. The one that really struck me was the one on the Matthew scripture from this morning’s reading. It is by Kenneth Walters Sr. who is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Haggard School of Theology at the Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. He writes:

(read quote)

We are to be out there…alongside Jesus in His redemptive ministry. We are to be the hands and feet of this “radical” ministry. Not just as individuals but also as communities of faith…put our faith into action. (Follow the Leader)

We are to reach out to those around us…where they are not where WE want them to be. Jesus went to where people were…He could have just sat in the temple…waiting for people to come and hear this wonderful teacher who speaks with authority…but Jesus was not about that…He was about the doing not the being the Son of God. (Follow the Leader)

Following the leader…it’s a fun game if we are willing to give up the lead and let someone else lead for a while. If we are not willing to relinquish the command there is no sense in being in the game. I would like to end my Sermon with a song by Rhonda Vincent…some of you may have heard me sing this at the Hymn Sing one night (Which by the way is tonight). It is a song that I feel was written for this Matthew scripture. It is called “Fisher’s of Men”.

(Sing Song)

May we join Jesus in His Redemptive ministry…come along side with the original and follow His lead in life. May we help restore people where they are instead of where WE think they should be. May we be true “Fishers of Men.”

AMEN

(preached in our living room, January 27, 2008, because the snow storm kept her from getting to Sanbornville)

Sinking – haiku

With faith, He walked
Peter walked on water
his doubt made him sink

January 27, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33


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 20,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Walk on Water – haiku

eyes focused on Him
Peter walked on water;
wind shook his faith

January 26, 2008
Matthew 14:22-33

Follow This Leader

They left all, on the shore, in the boats
left all to follow Jesus,
to leave behind family, lives
to follow the preacher, the prophet,
the man on the shore

We too are called, right where we are
where we live, where we work
to leave our lives behind
to abandon our own plans,
our own wills
to leave the boats,
what we have known
and be fishers of men

January 27, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
and the sermon, “Follow the Leader”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 27, 2008

Peter – haiku - 1

Rock; stumbling block
passive – aggressive, follow
hide, run, walk by faith

January 26, 2008

Superbowl Haiku - 2

Nineteen and zero
Just win one more, Patriots
Team of Destiny!

January 26, 2008
http://www.onlyagame.org/

Superbowl Haiku

Superbowl haiku
Patriots, Patriot score
Undefeated, Yeah!

January 26, 2008
http://www.onlyagame.org/

He Called Me

There I was, with my partners, my brother
working, as we had for years, toiling in our boat
on the Sea of Galilee, fishermen,
that is what we were, until that day
He was the one, baptized by John
in the Jordan, or so was the story
about this man, Jesus
He called me, Me,
to follow Him,
to be fishers of men,
no longer in my boat
doing what I had always known
He called Me
And I followed Him

January 26, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

The Weight of the Dove

He was forever changed,
the weight of the dove, the spirit of God
resting upon him, still upon him
its impression visible, transforming
as he walked the shore, as he called the brothers,
the brothers in labor, in ministry to come
the fishermen, James and John,
Andrew and Simon, the rock
Before the ministry, before the transfiguration
at the very start, his life changed
with the weight of the dove upon him

January 26, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Following the Master

Before he was known, before he was seen
healing, teaching, he walked the shore
fresh from his cleansing, the anointing by the Spirit
the weight of the dove still upon him
He saw brothers, fishermen
There on the shore, he called them
to follow him, to walk with him,
to fish for men, the hearts of men
to turn them toward God,
a right understanding of love
of heavenly righteousness
He called them, and their lives changed
no longer were they fishermen
on the shore, in the boats, mending nets
hauling their catch
They were called to different work
following the Master

January 26, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Just how far have we come?

In this week when we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I am forced to wonder aloud, “Just how far have we come”, as a nation, as a people, in reaching Dr. King’s dream?

I observed a troubling scene this morning. I was just an on-looker. I do not know what was in the hearts of the children. Any conclusion is merely my own, based on how it appeared.

Two young boys, one tow-head white and one ebony-black, likely a refugee child from Africa who may not yet speak English, were waiting in line to go into school. The black boy was ahead of the white boy in line. The white boy was just a few inches taller, heavier. He was facing the other boy. He had his right hand held on the front of the other boy’s throat. It looked to me like the way a pit-bull, or other similar dog or a big-cat grasps its prey, immobilizing it. The other boy, facing me, did not move. I was struck by the scene. It may have been about 10 seconds, at most, before I stepped in to stop it.

The staff moved in at the same moment, moved the attacker, and kept him separated. The teacher was alerted to what happened.

The school did the right thing, as far as I could tell, responding quickly.

But what of the two boys? What lessons have they been taught that led to this assault? What lessons did they learn on the playground this day? What supports will they get? How far have we come as a people, to achieve Dr. King’s dream? How color blind are we?

And, aside from the different colors of the children, there is the disturbing issue of bullying that continues to be seen in schools, even with laws and policies on the subject.

Our society has not become the kind of place Dr. King dreamed of where all would be treated equally.

We can only hope and pray that in small incremental steps, individual lives can be changed for the better, and that we all will act when we see injustice. I hope that both the aggressor and the victim in this incident get the love, care, support, and learning they need so that this never happens again.

&

edited January 19, 2015

Changing the Wind – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/changing-wind-v3.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

Edited July 22, 2013

“changing the wind – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/changing-wind-v2.html

December 7, 2007

“changing the wind”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/12/changing-wind.html

Based on the comments of Jim Wallis on

Speaking of Faith, November 29, 2007

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/jimwallis/index.shtml

He was talking about whether to change politicians

or change the wind, to change the public opinion

which guides politics. He used the example

of President Johnson’s statement to the

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that it would

take 5 years for a voting rights bill but

it actually took 5 months to pass the Voting Rights Act,

after the March in Selma.

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 35,260+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In My Arms

The savior of the world, the one we had hoped for,
the Messiah we prayed for his coming,
held in my arms, falling into the water together
baptized with water,
right next to me, as we came up
out of the water, the Jordan
the Spirit of God shone down from heaven
tearing the curtain, heaven and earth one
Alighting on him, the Spirit of God
Wake the neighbors, the Savior Lives!

January 23, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Ruby Slippers

A pair of ruby slippers
sequined and well-worn
Old friends gingerly placed,
lovingly left for another day

I don’t know their owner;
but I have seen the smiles, the glee
I can imagine, from my own princesses
and their joy in dress-up
time when their wonder, magic
rubs off on me

Oh, I can imagine her so well
and the giggles that erupt
each time she slips them back on

January 22, 2008

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 39,020+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Casting Their Nets

Casting their nets into the sea
seeking their food, their livelihood
dropping their nets, their lives
at the word of the carpenter
offering them bigger game, bigger stakes
if they would follow him

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:18-20

Repent – haiku – 7

Repent, confess sin
washed clean in the river
new creatures in Christ

January 22, 2008

Repent – haiku – 7

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/01/repent-haiku-7.html

Matthew 4:12-23

Matthew 4:18-20

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 32,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Repent – haiku – 6

Shed your old skin, self
be a new creation, live
joy in the morning

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 5 – v2

Reverse the course, path
follow a new direction
the straight and narrow

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 5 – v1

Reverse the course, flow
embark on a new pathway
the straight and narrow

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 4

Love God, not mammon;
be born anew, adopted
Turn from your old self

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 3 – v2

Wash with the Spirit
Be made clean in your true heart
set your trust in God

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 3 – v1

Wash with the Spirit
Be made clean in your true heart
set your sight on God

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 2 – v3

Change your direction
change your ways, your life, your heart
change your steps to God

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 2 – v2

Change your direction
change your ways, your life, your heart
change your sight to God

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 2 – v1

Change your direction
change your ways, your life, your heart
change your path to God

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

Repent – haiku – 1

Turn around, reverse
turn away from your past, sin
turn toward the Lord

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
Matthew 4:17

They Went With Him

The shoreline, the world
was different in that instance,
a page turned in human history
His ministry truly begun
when the disciples left their nets, their boats
their lives behind to follow the Christ
His earthy journey truly begun
in those acts of faith, that trust
Starting a course that led to the cross,
the grave, the resurrection, to Pentecost;
but even in the sudden purposeful rising
from the shore, their nets
They marked a change in the world
the Messiah had come, and they
they would be his nets

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

He Didn’t Ask

They followed
when he said to follow
not a request, not a question.
He didn’t ask, “will you follow me?”
He made a promise, a pledge,
giving purpose to their lives,
lives spent fishing, mending
They would now fish for human hearts
“Follow me,” the Master said
and they left all to follow him

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

In the Boat, Left

They left, to follow him
to be his fishers of men;
he and the hired hands
were left behind, in the boat
to carry on without them.
They were called
to another way

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

They Followed

Seemingly without further thought
without question or doubt
they stood when he called
left their homes, their lives
their nets on the shore
and moved with him
into the countryside
to begin their work
with him; but
all because he called them
to follow him,
to be fishers of men

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

The Master Called

They were doing their work
sitting by the sea, mending their nets
what they had always done
the task at hand
He came to them, called them
out of their lives, to another calling
to fish for people, for the human heart
to bring us into a relationship
with God. But He didn’t say all of that
Those things would come later
He merely said to follow me
I need you, I have called you
and they left all
and followed him

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Fishers of Men – haiku - 6

be like they were, then
ready to leave all behind
become fishers too

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Fishers of Men – haiku - 5

Nets, family, sea
Left behind, following him
Our story foretold

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Fishers of Men – haiku - 4

Leaving the shore, the nets
all they had ever known for him
to spread the good news

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Fishers of Men – haiku - 3

followed his call
left all to go with the Christ
believed in him

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Fishers of Men – haiku - 2

They were seeking men
to bring us to God, to save
reconcile us all

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Fishers of Men – haiku - 1

Fishers of humans
casting other nets, waters
messengers of hope

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23

Mending Their Nets

They were busy, unproductive,
preparing, mending their nets
on the shore of the lake
waiting, seeking, ready.
He called to them, to step up
to leave all, to go with him
to be fishers for people,
casting different nets
for different quarry,
They left all, to follow him
leaving unmended the nets
that didn’t matter to them any longer
leaving the day to day
for an unknown future
with boldness
they would need later

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
John 1:29-42

Marking Time - 1

Biding their time, mending their nets,
sitting on the shore of the lake
Fishermen tending to their work,
between fishing, sitting on shore
Marking the turn of the sun, the march of time
waiting for the one, to change the world
Answering the call, immediately,
dropping the day to day, the normalcy
the work-a-day world
Following when they were called
and going another way

January 22, 2008
Matthew 4:12-23
John 1:29-42

Fishermen - 2

To be called to be fishers of men
casting nets, casting a single line
out into the sea, the rolling sea
to find the stocks, the untapped harvest
to be the ones bringing them aboard
into the belly of the ship
into the storehouses, the temple,
the synagogue
into the pews,
casting the words
out into the multitude
to reach the urgent ear, the willing heart
to change the life of the faithful
those waiting to be found
hoping for a different, better way
a way out of the darkness
to that way home
gathered in by the fishers of men
to the harvest, to the flock
to the shepherd, the carpenter, the king

January 22, 2008

Leaving John

The left him in the river
baptizing as he had
to follow the Christ,
the living Messiah,
the fulfillment,
not of the prophesy alone
The fulfillment of the hope of a nation
the embodiment of countless prayers,
of dreams for a better tomorrow,
opening now before them.
Following him, leaving John.

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

He has Come

The one, the one foretold
the one for whom I have been called
to make the way clear
Has come!
He is here, in my arms,
walking among us
falling into the water
rising clean, anointed,
prepared for his ministry
right here and now!
The savior came!

January 22, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

A Voice Crying

His was the prescient voice,
crying in the wilderness, proclaiming the coming
of the Messiah, coming to baptize
What a wondrous moment
to see the fruit, the living Messiah
there in his arms, falling into the water
the Spirit falling on Him
anointing the king, right there
A ministry fulfilled in that instance
a life changed, ready to be witness
to the miracle, the coming of the Messiah
the Lamb of God, blessed by the dove
Look everyone – It is Him!

January 22, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Disciples – haiku – 1

the first disciples
followers of John, Baptist
Follow Jesus now

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

They Followed Him

They belonged to John
watching him in the desert, the wilderness;
But they left him
To follow the Christ,
the Messiah incarnate
Leaving all they knew
for the unknown journey ahead

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Witness – haiku – 5

Tell the disciples
the Messiah has come nigh
wade in this water

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

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 28,960+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

Witness – haiku – 4 – v2

Seeing the Spirit
the dove descending on him
tell the nation, world

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Witness – haiku – 4 – v1

Seeing the Spirit
the dove descending on him
tell all the people!

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Witness – haiku – 3

water – wilderness
cleanse, repent, sins removed
new creation; being

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Witness – haiku – 2

Stand in the river
baptize with water; witness
anointing spirit

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Witness – haiku – 1

seeing, testify
speak in details witnessed
Proclaim anointing

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

One Who Sees – haiku – 1 – v2

witness to power
fulfillment of prophesy
anointing spirit

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

One Who Sees – haiku – 1 - v1

witness to power
fulfillment of prophesy
anointing water

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Not on the Stand

His testimony, not on the stand,
no court of law.
He stood in the river,
on the riverbank
proclaiming his witness
to the anointing of the Son
by the spirit of God.
Telling all who would hear,
who would stop and listen
that He was here, among them
The anointed one walking
the dusty roads of earth
ready to baptize with the Spirit
the same spirit of God
which rested upon him

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

A Witness

Excited language
a witness to history
a singular moment
the anointing of the new king
by the Holy Spirit
descending like a dove
Proclaiming with shouts,
exclaiming the sudden, good news.
The Messiah has come!

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08

Trinity - haiku

Creator, Savior
Sustainer, Holy Spirit
watch over my life

January 21, 2008

The Fall – haiku

Choices bear ripe fruit
good and evil struggle within
free will legacy

January 19, 2008

The Garden – haiku

made for our pleasure
with rules, wonders, delights, costs
consequences still

January 19, 2008

A Mustard Seed – haiku

metaphor for faith
a depth of trust quantified
enabling action

January 19, 2008

A Seed – haiku

a seed grows within
growing inside each person
to be wheat or tares

January 19, 2008

On the Cross

While yet on the cross
Christ foregave those killing him –
a model of grace

January 19, 2008