Ezekiel 37:1-14
How many of you ever wanted to have a do over? You realize that you could have done something a different way or acted a different way and just want to have a chance to start over again. I have many days like that. . . my family seems to know that when I say can we have a do over. . . I really mean business. . . things are going terribly wrong and I just want to start over again. . . even though I know that I can’t. . . it just feels good saying it. If we had a chance to do it over. . . I am sure that most of us would jump at the chance.
I know that I have asked for a do over with people, especially with my family and I get the do over. . . we try to start again, but. . . what has happened before that do over still looms in the air so is that really a do over? But. . . with God . . . we have a true do over. With God. . . we get true forgiveness with our do over. Hebrews 8:12 states that God “Will be merciful to their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more”. Our slate is wiped clean and we can begin anew. (We get. . . a do over)
When we come on bended knee and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we get a do over. 2Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” We are renewed, changed. The past is past. . . the slate is wiped clean. . . and BEHOLD. . . new things have come. I like the way that the Amplified Bible states this verse from Corinthians. It says that “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” Wow. . . now that makes me stop and think. We are “ingrafted” in Christ. . . we are a new creature altogether. . . our old “moral and spiritual condition is gone. . . A fresh, new start! (We get. . . a do over)
The Ezekiel passage from this morning also talks about renewal. . . a do over. The exiles are lamenting that their bones are dried up, their hopes perished and they are utterly cut off. Yahweh. . . instructs the prophet to inform his audience. . . the exiles. . . that their present situation and consequent despair will. . . be. . . transformed. The bones come together with sinews and flesh came upon it and it was cover with skin. But. . . there was no breath within them. God then tells Ezekiel to summon the breath. . . the spirit. . . from the four winds to breathe. . . blow. . . upon “these slain.”)Wind also means ruah (ruah Eloim~breath of God) and the four winds appear to be the powerful source of the ruah Ezekiel must summon.) Now as a consequence of this. . . of these procedures of the sinews, flesh, skin and the breath that God causes. . . the bones will live; more importantly, the Lords larger purpose will be accomplished: the revived people will know and acknowledge who Yahweh is. They will know the power of God!
When we raise our vision to look beyond what our mundane. . . ordinary. . . eyes can see, we watch the impossible happen through God’s eyes. “I can’t believe my eyes,” we say when we have witnessed an utterly unanticipated and/or seemingly impossible event take place. But we can believe God’s eyes and, seeing through them, glimpse unimagined reasons to keep on hoping, though the desert can be dry and dark, and the Promised Land far, far away. (We get. . . a. . . do over)
Ezekiel also states in verse 14 that “I will put my Spirit in you. And you will live again. I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I have spoken. I have done it," announces the Lord.' "We are given the Spirit of God so that we can live again. I would like to read you a poem from my favorite poet. . . it is titled Wind in the Bones. I think it sums up this passage from Ezekiel well. It reads:
Not merely a breath,
the breath of life
whispered into the bones.
No, the wind, from the ends of the earth
called, commanded to the valley
to breath life into the dry bones
the winds of the dead, the exhaled
breath of life, reinvigorating,
awakening the nation
called to life by God,
through the prophet,
given life by the four winds
It is God’s breath, His wind. . . that gives new life.
The Romans passage tells us that “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” We are made alive again even though we were dead because of sin. (We get. . . a. . . do over)
In the John Gospel from this morning. . . Jesus talks about a new life. In verses 25-26 Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” We have eternal life through our belief in Jesus Christ. AMEN! Jesus also gave Lazarus new life in this passage to God’s Glorification. Our new life is to Glorify God.
I have had time to contemplate on this “new life” thing. . . this concept. This is the analogy that was brought to mind. We are like a caterpillar crawling around looking for something to eat (we are in our sinful nature looking for something that will sustain us). . . when the caterpillar finds the right thing for it to eat they stay and eat and grow (we finally come to the throne of Grace and realize that Jesus is the only thing that will satisfy us. We stay and we learn and feed our souls).When it is time they cocoon themselves (we rest in the presence of God. . . enveloped in his wings of love and redemption. We are sheltered by the Most High). When it is time the caterpillar emerges from its chrysalis and has been transformed into a beautiful Butterfly (we are transformed and are given wings to soar on high. . . transformed into a thing of beauty with God’s love shining through us). (We get. . . our. . . do over)
The way to experience God’s love for the world that defeats death, to receive the promises of God as the reality of God, is to believe in Jesus. We get a do over. We are able to have a right relationship with God. After the first Adam. . . the only way to try and have that relationship with God was through animal sacrifices. But with the 2nd Adam, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he became that ultimate sacrifice. . . the final sacrifice for the remission of sin. Adam was made by the Divine and it took the Divine to save us from his sin. The divine created the 1st Adam and had to become the 2nd in order to correct the mistake of the first. The Divine sacrifice found in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sermon given by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, “Was Blind But Now I See”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church, April 6, 2008
Luke 24: 13-35
Have you ever passed by something a hundred times and all of the sudden it looks different to you? Has anyone ever said to you “hey. . . look at that design in that rock”. . . you keep looking at it and don’t see anything and then all of the sudden. . . you look at it from. . . a different angle and see exactly what they are talking about? I know I have. There is this figure of a fish that it is the side of this rock formation when you get on to rte 93 from my house. I think I have talked to people about it many times and it takes some of them a while but. . . eventually they see it. We never know what we are missing sometimes because we. . . kind of have these. . . blinders on.
This kind of reminds me of these two men walking the road to Emmaus. They were so consumed with what had happened in the past that they were missing the glorious thing that was happening in their present time. The “RISEN” Lord Jesus Christ was walking along with them. They even had a burning feeling in their heart that they ignored because they were focused on what had taken place in the days before. I wonder how many times “WE” miss our Lord walking with us because we are too concerned with what is going on or has gone on in our life instead of the blessings we receive abundantly each day.
This story of the appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is the most developed and the most beautiful of the appearance stories. Its plot is centered on the failure of the two men to recognize their fellow traveler. The suspense builds in the story until the moment that they recognize the risen Lord and He disappears. . . vanishes. . . from their presence.
Emmaus. . . it was a little-noted town. Luke doesn’t say why the two disciples were going there. They may have been going home. . . going there on business. . . or just going there to get away from the terrible things they had witnessed in Jerusalem. The risen Lord meets us on our road to Emmaus, in the ordinary places and experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. The story warns us, however, that the Lord may come to us in unfamiliar guises, when we least expect him.
This reminds me of something that happened in my life years ago. It was when I was a “new believer”. . . just after I had rededicated my life to Christ. I was in the grocery store and I had one of those cubes that tells the story of Jesus’ life. I don’t know if you have ever seen one before. . . I wish I could find one, I lost mine a while back. . . they look like those Rubik Cubes that were so popular a few years back. Well. . . the High School kid that was bagging my groceries was really interested in it. He asked me about it and I told him that is was a cube and when you flip it around it told the story and went along my way. Well. . . I no sooner got to my car and felt like I had missed divine appointment. I went back to find him and show him how it worked and tell him the story but I couldn’t find him. . . I swore that I would never pass up a chance to witness ever again. Was this High School kid the risen Lord standing before me and I didn’t realize until too late. . . I guess I will never know. But. . . that lesson has stayed with me for many years.
One thing I find interesting about his passage is that as soon as they recognized the risen Lord. . . He disappeared from their sight. God’s presence is always elusive, fleeting, dancing at the edge of our awareness and perception. Now let’s be honest. Do you really feel a constant, steady, predictable presence of God? If you do I envy you (oops sorry. . . that’s one of the Big Ten). I know that there are times in my life when I am praying “Lord I feel alone and confused. . . I need you to be here with me right now”. . . and there is silence. . . but in those silent times. . . in those times that I am walking through that desert place. . . I know that God is watching me and that there is a lesson to be learned. I know that He will pick me up if I fall. . . brush me off. . . and say “Let’s try that again. . . this time my way”. But there is this. . . silence. Maybe. . . this silence is a good thing. If we all felt the presence of God with us at all times. . . we may take for granted that God is always with us. We may not have the joy we feel when we feel God’s presence because it would be too common place for us. I have learned through my life with God. . . to treasure every moment that I feel his presence. I even have learned to look for Him in my day to day dealings. I even think back on the moments when I felt God’s presence when I am going through that dry arid desert and remember how it was. Even the two disciples looked back and remembered. After the Lord vanished they said to one another “Did not our hearts burn within us?” Even the women at the tomb (with the angels prompting) remembered the words that Jesus had told them while He was still with them. They remembered back to a time when the Lord was with them. One of the secrets of a vigorous spirituality and a confident faith is learning the importance of meeting God in the past as well as the present. You need to remember.
Memory. . . we all have it (OK. . . so some are better than others but we all have one). In the Scripture from Acts this morning. . . while Peter was preaching to the people he sparked their memory. Peter reminded them of all the good Jesus did. . . of how Jesus performed miracles and wonders which God did through Him. He reminded the entire household of Israel that with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. They remembered what had happened and realized what they had done. Their “blinders”. . . the scales. . . fell away from their eyes. The scripture went on to say “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers what should we do?”” They had been blinded of what had taken place but were reminded and they remembered Jesus and who He was. As a matter of fact. . . as we read. . . those who welcomed his. . . Peter’s. . . message were baptized, and that day three thousand persons were added. Talk about your altar call!
Memories. . . to remember something. . . sometimes it is good to remember things while other times it may be painful. Sometimes our memories help us through what we are going through and other times they may cause us to fear. But. . . we can always find a lesson in our memories. For the two disciples and the people that Peter was preaching to. . . their memories helped remove the “scales from their eyes”. It is in our memories. . . when we meditate on what has happened. . . we can see the picture of life more clearly.
Easter was not over when the day was over. It stretches into the rest of our lives. The two disciples might not ever meet the stranger from on their trip to Emmaus again. But. . . that didn’t matter. Their life was changed. The Gospel story we read from Luke has a theological insight when it stretches Easter day into the series of experiences that happened after. The Lord is risen and He comes back to meet us on our road to Emmaus. Opening our eyes to see Christ in our midst is a challenging step on the Christian journey, but this is the step that leads two disciples to recognize the risen Christ. However, opening one's eyes is only a step; for after their experience, the disciples made known to all that had happened to them. We need to share our stories too.
When we read the bible. . . . There are times that our “heart is strangely warmed” (as John Wesley would say). Christ meets us there on our road to see more clearly and understand what God’s has to say about our lives. We recognize Him when we celebrate communion in the “breaking of the bread.” We meet Him in our daily lives unaware, as did the two disciples, until it is too late at times. We need to remove our blinders. . . have the scales fall away. . . so that we can see Him more clearly in our daily lives. You never know. . . the next stranger we encounter may be our risen Lord in disguise. We may meet Him in an unfamiliar place or right in our own back yard.
Amen.
Have you ever passed by something a hundred times and all of the sudden it looks different to you? Has anyone ever said to you “hey. . . look at that design in that rock”. . . you keep looking at it and don’t see anything and then all of the sudden. . . you look at it from. . . a different angle and see exactly what they are talking about? I know I have. There is this figure of a fish that it is the side of this rock formation when you get on to rte 93 from my house. I think I have talked to people about it many times and it takes some of them a while but. . . eventually they see it. We never know what we are missing sometimes because we. . . kind of have these. . . blinders on.
This kind of reminds me of these two men walking the road to Emmaus. They were so consumed with what had happened in the past that they were missing the glorious thing that was happening in their present time. The “RISEN” Lord Jesus Christ was walking along with them. They even had a burning feeling in their heart that they ignored because they were focused on what had taken place in the days before. I wonder how many times “WE” miss our Lord walking with us because we are too concerned with what is going on or has gone on in our life instead of the blessings we receive abundantly each day.
This story of the appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is the most developed and the most beautiful of the appearance stories. Its plot is centered on the failure of the two men to recognize their fellow traveler. The suspense builds in the story until the moment that they recognize the risen Lord and He disappears. . . vanishes. . . from their presence.
Emmaus. . . it was a little-noted town. Luke doesn’t say why the two disciples were going there. They may have been going home. . . going there on business. . . or just going there to get away from the terrible things they had witnessed in Jerusalem. The risen Lord meets us on our road to Emmaus, in the ordinary places and experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. The story warns us, however, that the Lord may come to us in unfamiliar guises, when we least expect him.
This reminds me of something that happened in my life years ago. It was when I was a “new believer”. . . just after I had rededicated my life to Christ. I was in the grocery store and I had one of those cubes that tells the story of Jesus’ life. I don’t know if you have ever seen one before. . . I wish I could find one, I lost mine a while back. . . they look like those Rubik Cubes that were so popular a few years back. Well. . . the High School kid that was bagging my groceries was really interested in it. He asked me about it and I told him that is was a cube and when you flip it around it told the story and went along my way. Well. . . I no sooner got to my car and felt like I had missed divine appointment. I went back to find him and show him how it worked and tell him the story but I couldn’t find him. . . I swore that I would never pass up a chance to witness ever again. Was this High School kid the risen Lord standing before me and I didn’t realize until too late. . . I guess I will never know. But. . . that lesson has stayed with me for many years.
One thing I find interesting about his passage is that as soon as they recognized the risen Lord. . . He disappeared from their sight. God’s presence is always elusive, fleeting, dancing at the edge of our awareness and perception. Now let’s be honest. Do you really feel a constant, steady, predictable presence of God? If you do I envy you (oops sorry. . . that’s one of the Big Ten). I know that there are times in my life when I am praying “Lord I feel alone and confused. . . I need you to be here with me right now”. . . and there is silence. . . but in those silent times. . . in those times that I am walking through that desert place. . . I know that God is watching me and that there is a lesson to be learned. I know that He will pick me up if I fall. . . brush me off. . . and say “Let’s try that again. . . this time my way”. But there is this. . . silence. Maybe. . . this silence is a good thing. If we all felt the presence of God with us at all times. . . we may take for granted that God is always with us. We may not have the joy we feel when we feel God’s presence because it would be too common place for us. I have learned through my life with God. . . to treasure every moment that I feel his presence. I even have learned to look for Him in my day to day dealings. I even think back on the moments when I felt God’s presence when I am going through that dry arid desert and remember how it was. Even the two disciples looked back and remembered. After the Lord vanished they said to one another “Did not our hearts burn within us?” Even the women at the tomb (with the angels prompting) remembered the words that Jesus had told them while He was still with them. They remembered back to a time when the Lord was with them. One of the secrets of a vigorous spirituality and a confident faith is learning the importance of meeting God in the past as well as the present. You need to remember.
Memory. . . we all have it (OK. . . so some are better than others but we all have one). In the Scripture from Acts this morning. . . while Peter was preaching to the people he sparked their memory. Peter reminded them of all the good Jesus did. . . of how Jesus performed miracles and wonders which God did through Him. He reminded the entire household of Israel that with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. They remembered what had happened and realized what they had done. Their “blinders”. . . the scales. . . fell away from their eyes. The scripture went on to say “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers what should we do?”” They had been blinded of what had taken place but were reminded and they remembered Jesus and who He was. As a matter of fact. . . as we read. . . those who welcomed his. . . Peter’s. . . message were baptized, and that day three thousand persons were added. Talk about your altar call!
Memories. . . to remember something. . . sometimes it is good to remember things while other times it may be painful. Sometimes our memories help us through what we are going through and other times they may cause us to fear. But. . . we can always find a lesson in our memories. For the two disciples and the people that Peter was preaching to. . . their memories helped remove the “scales from their eyes”. It is in our memories. . . when we meditate on what has happened. . . we can see the picture of life more clearly.
Easter was not over when the day was over. It stretches into the rest of our lives. The two disciples might not ever meet the stranger from on their trip to Emmaus again. But. . . that didn’t matter. Their life was changed. The Gospel story we read from Luke has a theological insight when it stretches Easter day into the series of experiences that happened after. The Lord is risen and He comes back to meet us on our road to Emmaus. Opening our eyes to see Christ in our midst is a challenging step on the Christian journey, but this is the step that leads two disciples to recognize the risen Christ. However, opening one's eyes is only a step; for after their experience, the disciples made known to all that had happened to them. We need to share our stories too.
When we read the bible. . . . There are times that our “heart is strangely warmed” (as John Wesley would say). Christ meets us there on our road to see more clearly and understand what God’s has to say about our lives. We recognize Him when we celebrate communion in the “breaking of the bread.” We meet Him in our daily lives unaware, as did the two disciples, until it is too late at times. We need to remove our blinders. . . have the scales fall away. . . so that we can see Him more clearly in our daily lives. You never know. . . the next stranger we encounter may be our risen Lord in disguise. We may meet Him in an unfamiliar place or right in our own back yard.
Amen.
Sermon given by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, “Get a Piece of the Rock”, Sanbornville UMC, April 20, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10
How many of you remember that old Prudential Insurance commercial? There was this beautiful background scenery of mountains and the Rock of Gibraltar was right in the middle of it. You remember that Jingle that they had? “Get a piece of the rock” (sing). It was the best insurance. You could stand on this rock for all of your insurance protection needs. The scripture from 1 Peter this morning talks about another rock. . . a living rock. . . a cornerstone to Christians. That rock has a name and its name is Jesus. I don’t know about you. . . but this rock is the one I want to trust in times of trouble. When I need assurance in life. . . it is this stone that I turn to. . . not some insurance company that makes promises they would rather not keep.
This feeling of trust in my “foundation” is eloquently put in a poem from my favorite author, Ray Foss; it is called A Foundation of Love. It reads:
In the beginning
there was God's love
upon this strong foundation,
this rock, all else stands
God's love, His ever hopeful grace
we can depend on, we are assured.
God will open wide
Her arms of love, ready
to welcome us
when we return home.
Upon this strong foundation
we build our lives
of purpose, of service,
spreading the Creator's love
Building Your church
It is upon this Rock that I take refuge.
What is this Rock. . . this living stone. . . that Peter talks about? Well. . . let’s take a look at Peter’s letter to get a glimpse of his understanding of this Rock and Living Stone. How does this letter relate to us as Christians today? This is a Pastoral letter written by the apostle Peter to the exiles in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Scholars say that the letter was actually written by one of the disciples of Peter. They used Peters name because they wanted to establish the claim that its teaching reflects that of Peter. The letter addresses a critical situation. The people had become marginalized and abused since their conversion to Christ. The society they once belonged to now treats them as an unwelcome, even dangerous sectarian movement.
This reminds me of how we as Christians are unwelcomed and abused in many circumstances in this world. Some of our friends look at us differently after we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. They call us Jesus freaks, they are afraid to be “themselves” around us because they are afraid that we will “start preaching” to them. We are ridiculed and made fun of for our beliefs. The letter offers realistic encouragement and instructions to Christians attempting to live faithfully in such a situation.
The writer talks about Christ being like a stone, a foundation to build one’s life on. He calls Christ the living stone. Not cold and motionless like a rock but is the life giving quartz we need in life. As the scripture states “as you come”. . . it represents the circumstances under which believers are being built into a “spiritual house”. As the believer comes to Him. . . they are being built. . . being made into. . . the body of Christ. The passage shows the difference. . . the contrast. . . between mans thing of value and God’s thing of value.
++ Man rejected the stone as if it were dead and worthless
++ God has chosen this stone as living and valuable.
These Christians, like Christ and ourselves, are rejected by the world around them but they, and we, are elected. . . chosen. . . and are precious in God’s sight. Christ is the living stone and Christians are living stones as well, full of life and life giving.
Stones are built into houses, but houses are also temples, and in temples holy priest offer spiritual sacrifices. Spiritual sacrifices are surely a reference to the whole shape of the faithful life. . . the life of holiness. It underlines the close relationship between what God has done in Jesus Christ and what God is doing in these Christians and is still doing today through believers.
All Christians are living stones, built into the edifice. But the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone because the whole building rests on Him. He is the cornerstone because the building takes its design from Him. Ergo. . . no Christ. . . no building. The chosen and precious turns the allusion in verse 4 into and explicit citation.
++ Christ is chosen - reminds us that the whole pattern of salvation is part of God’s electing plan from the beginning centering in Christ but including all believers.
++ Christ is precious - reminds us of the pervasive distinction between valuable and tawdry goods, the things of heaven and the things of this world.
God’s faithfulness requires responding faith. Those who have faith know that the stone is precious but those who do not have faith, the same stone is not a cornerstone. . . they reject the stone and lay it aside. . . as if it was worthless and it becomes a stumbling block in their lives.
You know. . . all this talk about rocks has gotten me thinking. This reminds me of the transforming work of God in our lives. You see. . . metamorphic rocks are rocks that have “morphed” into another kind of rock. These rocks were once igneous or sedimentary rocks. Now. . . how do sedimentary and igneous rocks change?
Well. . . the rocks are under tons and tons of pressure, which fosters heat buildup, and this causes them to change. If you examine metamorphic rock samples closely, you’ll discover how flattened some of the grains in the rock are. We as Christians. . . as living rocks. . . are put under pressure at times from the “outside.” We are in the process of being formed into. . . being morphed into. . . the likeness of Christ. We may feel the heat at times but it is in those times when we are being shaped into what God would have us be in Christ. . . not what the world would have us be without Christ. We are being built into God’s temple so that we may become ambassadors of Christ. It takes many shapes and sizes of rocks to build a house but they all fit exactly where the “plans” have put us and are all equally important to the whole building. We become a “new kind of rock.” God is continually at work in our midst and is ever building the character of the church and of the individuals who are followers of the Way.
The scripture from 1 Peter this morning reminds us of the difference between Christians and non-Christians is not that we see different things differently but that we see. . . we view. . . the same things differently. We both see Jesus Christ, the rock. But as Christians, the rock we see is the cornerstone, that living stone, of our lives as individuals and as a community. But. . . non-believers just simply reject the rock. The difference between the two views of the same scene is faith.
In this letter from Peter, they great story that feeds faith is absolutely public. It is a word that is declared aloud about the deeds seen clearly. The story of Jesus is not hidden. The language about Jesus is not esoteric, confined to insiders, like the secret languages of lodges or clubs. But when different people hear the very public story, each responds differently. Those who hear the story in faith praise God for God’s wonderful deeds while those who do not hear the story in faith laugh and stumble.
All Christians are called by God to a royal priesthood and all are called to offer sacrifices. Not the sacrifice on the alter (as they did long ago. . . that final sacrifice has already been made by Christ Jesus) but the sacrifice of faithful obedience and the life of love that goes with it. The sacrifice that Christians are called to live is a life without malice, guile, insincerity, envy or slander which 1 Peter 2:1 says we have to put off with our faith.
For believers, Christian identity is our identity. Christian community is our community, and Christian family our family. Especially in a time of ongoing racial tension, Christians (not Caucasians, African American, Hispanic, or Asian people) are a chosen race. For Christians that take 1 Peter seriously, the line on the application that asks for race ought to filled in: “Christian.”
I would like to end my sermon with another poem by my favorite poet. It is called Stones for the Kingdom, it really embodies what the body of Christ should be.
Each of us, irregular stones,
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to play
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
May we always be that living stone for Christ’s Church, may we always know that we are precious and chosen in God’s eyes, and may we always do our part for the Kingdom of God here on earth. As Christians. . . our motto. . . our slogan. . . in life should not be “Get a Piece of the Rock” but “Become a Piece of the Rock.”
AMEN
How many of you remember that old Prudential Insurance commercial? There was this beautiful background scenery of mountains and the Rock of Gibraltar was right in the middle of it. You remember that Jingle that they had? “Get a piece of the rock” (sing). It was the best insurance. You could stand on this rock for all of your insurance protection needs. The scripture from 1 Peter this morning talks about another rock. . . a living rock. . . a cornerstone to Christians. That rock has a name and its name is Jesus. I don’t know about you. . . but this rock is the one I want to trust in times of trouble. When I need assurance in life. . . it is this stone that I turn to. . . not some insurance company that makes promises they would rather not keep.
This feeling of trust in my “foundation” is eloquently put in a poem from my favorite author, Ray Foss; it is called A Foundation of Love. It reads:
In the beginning
there was God's love
upon this strong foundation,
this rock, all else stands
God's love, His ever hopeful grace
we can depend on, we are assured.
God will open wide
Her arms of love, ready
to welcome us
when we return home.
Upon this strong foundation
we build our lives
of purpose, of service,
spreading the Creator's love
Building Your church
It is upon this Rock that I take refuge.
What is this Rock. . . this living stone. . . that Peter talks about? Well. . . let’s take a look at Peter’s letter to get a glimpse of his understanding of this Rock and Living Stone. How does this letter relate to us as Christians today? This is a Pastoral letter written by the apostle Peter to the exiles in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Scholars say that the letter was actually written by one of the disciples of Peter. They used Peters name because they wanted to establish the claim that its teaching reflects that of Peter. The letter addresses a critical situation. The people had become marginalized and abused since their conversion to Christ. The society they once belonged to now treats them as an unwelcome, even dangerous sectarian movement.
This reminds me of how we as Christians are unwelcomed and abused in many circumstances in this world. Some of our friends look at us differently after we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. They call us Jesus freaks, they are afraid to be “themselves” around us because they are afraid that we will “start preaching” to them. We are ridiculed and made fun of for our beliefs. The letter offers realistic encouragement and instructions to Christians attempting to live faithfully in such a situation.
The writer talks about Christ being like a stone, a foundation to build one’s life on. He calls Christ the living stone. Not cold and motionless like a rock but is the life giving quartz we need in life. As the scripture states “as you come”. . . it represents the circumstances under which believers are being built into a “spiritual house”. As the believer comes to Him. . . they are being built. . . being made into. . . the body of Christ. The passage shows the difference. . . the contrast. . . between mans thing of value and God’s thing of value.
++ Man rejected the stone as if it were dead and worthless
++ God has chosen this stone as living and valuable.
These Christians, like Christ and ourselves, are rejected by the world around them but they, and we, are elected. . . chosen. . . and are precious in God’s sight. Christ is the living stone and Christians are living stones as well, full of life and life giving.
Stones are built into houses, but houses are also temples, and in temples holy priest offer spiritual sacrifices. Spiritual sacrifices are surely a reference to the whole shape of the faithful life. . . the life of holiness. It underlines the close relationship between what God has done in Jesus Christ and what God is doing in these Christians and is still doing today through believers.
All Christians are living stones, built into the edifice. But the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone because the whole building rests on Him. He is the cornerstone because the building takes its design from Him. Ergo. . . no Christ. . . no building. The chosen and precious turns the allusion in verse 4 into and explicit citation.
++ Christ is chosen - reminds us that the whole pattern of salvation is part of God’s electing plan from the beginning centering in Christ but including all believers.
++ Christ is precious - reminds us of the pervasive distinction between valuable and tawdry goods, the things of heaven and the things of this world.
God’s faithfulness requires responding faith. Those who have faith know that the stone is precious but those who do not have faith, the same stone is not a cornerstone. . . they reject the stone and lay it aside. . . as if it was worthless and it becomes a stumbling block in their lives.
You know. . . all this talk about rocks has gotten me thinking. This reminds me of the transforming work of God in our lives. You see. . . metamorphic rocks are rocks that have “morphed” into another kind of rock. These rocks were once igneous or sedimentary rocks. Now. . . how do sedimentary and igneous rocks change?
Well. . . the rocks are under tons and tons of pressure, which fosters heat buildup, and this causes them to change. If you examine metamorphic rock samples closely, you’ll discover how flattened some of the grains in the rock are. We as Christians. . . as living rocks. . . are put under pressure at times from the “outside.” We are in the process of being formed into. . . being morphed into. . . the likeness of Christ. We may feel the heat at times but it is in those times when we are being shaped into what God would have us be in Christ. . . not what the world would have us be without Christ. We are being built into God’s temple so that we may become ambassadors of Christ. It takes many shapes and sizes of rocks to build a house but they all fit exactly where the “plans” have put us and are all equally important to the whole building. We become a “new kind of rock.” God is continually at work in our midst and is ever building the character of the church and of the individuals who are followers of the Way.
The scripture from 1 Peter this morning reminds us of the difference between Christians and non-Christians is not that we see different things differently but that we see. . . we view. . . the same things differently. We both see Jesus Christ, the rock. But as Christians, the rock we see is the cornerstone, that living stone, of our lives as individuals and as a community. But. . . non-believers just simply reject the rock. The difference between the two views of the same scene is faith.
In this letter from Peter, they great story that feeds faith is absolutely public. It is a word that is declared aloud about the deeds seen clearly. The story of Jesus is not hidden. The language about Jesus is not esoteric, confined to insiders, like the secret languages of lodges or clubs. But when different people hear the very public story, each responds differently. Those who hear the story in faith praise God for God’s wonderful deeds while those who do not hear the story in faith laugh and stumble.
All Christians are called by God to a royal priesthood and all are called to offer sacrifices. Not the sacrifice on the alter (as they did long ago. . . that final sacrifice has already been made by Christ Jesus) but the sacrifice of faithful obedience and the life of love that goes with it. The sacrifice that Christians are called to live is a life without malice, guile, insincerity, envy or slander which 1 Peter 2:1 says we have to put off with our faith.
For believers, Christian identity is our identity. Christian community is our community, and Christian family our family. Especially in a time of ongoing racial tension, Christians (not Caucasians, African American, Hispanic, or Asian people) are a chosen race. For Christians that take 1 Peter seriously, the line on the application that asks for race ought to filled in: “Christian.”
I would like to end my sermon with another poem by my favorite poet. It is called Stones for the Kingdom, it really embodies what the body of Christ should be.
Each of us, irregular stones,
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to play
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
May we always be that living stone for Christ’s Church, may we always know that we are precious and chosen in God’s eyes, and may we always do our part for the Kingdom of God here on earth. As Christians. . . our motto. . . our slogan. . . in life should not be “Get a Piece of the Rock” but “Become a Piece of the Rock.”
AMEN
The Pastor’s (wife) Husband
Standing beside her,
before the congregation
feeling their love for her
washing over me, in reflection
hearing his voice saying it was unanimous
a living affirmation of her call
My joy made real, in their belief in her
something I have known for so long
She is called to your ministry
to be your shepherd, in community
bringing your love, for the rest of her life
Proud, I am, to be the Pastor’s (wife) husband.
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
before the congregation
feeling their love for her
washing over me, in reflection
hearing his voice saying it was unanimous
a living affirmation of her call
My joy made real, in their belief in her
something I have known for so long
She is called to your ministry
to be your shepherd, in community
bringing your love, for the rest of her life
Proud, I am, to be the Pastor’s (wife) husband.
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Words that Heal, that Challenge, that Guide
The words rolled off the page, off her tongue
oh so familiar joyous words
words of the scriptures, ancient and alive
for us in the congregation, words of assurance,
of God’s love, of God’s call,
of the challenge to be disciples
to be parts of the body, to live out our faith
in the community of believers
each a part of the creator’s plan
the hands, the feet, the parts of the body
ever bound in community
better together than apart
oh so familiar joyous words
words of the scriptures, ancient and alive
for us in the congregation, words of assurance,
of God’s love, of God’s call,
of the challenge to be disciples
to be parts of the body, to live out our faith
in the community of believers
each a part of the creator’s plan
the hands, the feet, the parts of the body
ever bound in community
better together than apart
April 21, 2008
Words that Heal, that Challenge, that Guide
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon,
“Ever Bound in Community
“Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
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 35,430+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
The Parts of the Body
It doesn’t matter which part we are
what role we each play
in the body, the church
the living person of Christ
together doing the Master’s will
following the path we have embarked upon
as a community of faith,
not merely a collection of individuals
all parts of the one body
working together
for the creator’s glory
all are valued, all are needed
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
what role we each play
in the body, the church
the living person of Christ
together doing the Master’s will
following the path we have embarked upon
as a community of faith,
not merely a collection of individuals
all parts of the one body
working together
for the creator’s glory
all are valued, all are needed
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
All Are Needed
We are the eyes, the nose, the fingers,
the body of the church,
the body of Christ
each church, in its place
a role to play, each one of us,
each in community, together able
together the church
the body of Christ alive in this time
doing the work of the kingdom
for the Father’s glory
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
the body of the church,
the body of Christ
each church, in its place
a role to play, each one of us,
each in community, together able
together the church
the body of Christ alive in this time
doing the work of the kingdom
for the Father’s glory
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
All Parts
Without each other, parts
parts of a puzzle,
clear in completion only
each a member, valuable, needed
finding purpose in the word,
in the life of faith,
using our minds, our hands,
what we know, what we have learned
to build up the body, to be the parts
be the church, together
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
parts of a puzzle,
clear in completion only
each a member, valuable, needed
finding purpose in the word,
in the life of faith,
using our minds, our hands,
what we know, what we have learned
to build up the body, to be the parts
be the church, together
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
An Affirmation
Joy welled up, filled our cups to overflowing
a day long sought after,
Being affirmed by our family of faith
in the sanctuary, in community
feeling their love, their certainty
Hearing their support, their faith
in her call, to ministry, their belief
She is called by God to the pulpit,
to service, to care for a flock
to bring God’s message, as an elder
a shepherd for the savior
His messenger of love
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
a day long sought after,
Being affirmed by our family of faith
in the sanctuary, in community
feeling their love, their certainty
Hearing their support, their faith
in her call, to ministry, their belief
She is called by God to the pulpit,
to service, to care for a flock
to bring God’s message, as an elder
a shepherd for the savior
His messenger of love
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
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 27,100+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Before the Congregation
Another hurdle, a step on the path
to ministry, to her calling
They met in the sanctuary, somber, orderly
But joy was in the offing, in the results
the vote of affirmation, unanimous
all the gathered community
affirming her call, now,
those who have known her
who know her heart, her faith
her trust in God
saying yes, she is ready
She can lead a flock
She is called to be a shepherd
April 20, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
to ministry, to her calling
They met in the sanctuary, somber, orderly
But joy was in the offing, in the results
the vote of affirmation, unanimous
all the gathered community
affirming her call, now,
those who have known her
who know her heart, her faith
her trust in God
saying yes, she is ready
She can lead a flock
She is called to be a shepherd
April 20, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Glorified in Betrayal
The Son, the Father, glorified
in the act of betrayal
betrayal by the Judas
His life transformed,
fulfillment of the prophesy
his life a sacrifice, turned over
brought before them
but glorified in his obedience
his living out that which was foretold
even the betrayal predestined
a part of his story
from the very start
April 19, 2008
John 13:31
John 13:31-36
John 13
in the act of betrayal
betrayal by the Judas
His life transformed,
fulfillment of the prophesy
his life a sacrifice, turned over
brought before them
but glorified in his obedience
his living out that which was foretold
even the betrayal predestined
a part of his story
from the very start
April 19, 2008
John 13:31
John 13:31-36
John 13
Intellectually Disabled
“Retard!” That was the cutting word
they would call him
Cut him to the quick
Different enough, without the words
mentally retarded, or so he has been known
A change in language,
not nearly enough
to heal his pain
Cruel words can break our hearts
more than sticks ever could
Words can hurt us
April 19, 2008
Change in the language from “mentally retarded”
to “intellectual disability” in NH law,
Senate Bill 529. Hopefully it will
make a real difference.
they would call him
Cut him to the quick
Different enough, without the words
mentally retarded, or so he has been known
A change in language,
not nearly enough
to heal his pain
Cruel words can break our hearts
more than sticks ever could
Words can hurt us
April 19, 2008
Change in the language from “mentally retarded”
to “intellectual disability” in NH law,
Senate Bill 529. Hopefully it will
make a real difference.
A Swimmer’s Hump
His most defining feature
a swimmer’s hump
years of the butterfly
practice after practice
supple muscle, an arch to his back
long after he left the water
April 19, 2008
a swimmer’s hump
years of the butterfly
practice after practice
supple muscle, an arch to his back
long after he left the water
April 19, 2008
A Bassett out the Window
An old valued friend, riding in the front seat
brown and white, chin turning grey
hanging out the black pickup
standing on the door’s window
catching the cool air
his ears each a sail in the wind
out for a drive with his human
aware of my gaze, smiling
coming through the crossroads
a commercial for Spring
April 19, 2008
brown and white, chin turning grey
hanging out the black pickup
standing on the door’s window
catching the cool air
his ears each a sail in the wind
out for a drive with his human
aware of my gaze, smiling
coming through the crossroads
a commercial for Spring
April 19, 2008
An Empty Field
Brown-yellow long grasses
rising again,
after the weight of the snow
gone away for another year
an empty fallow field
ringed by young white pine
standing still behind the fence by the road
a square of open space
between the houses
before the woods beyond
April 19, 2008
rising again,
after the weight of the snow
gone away for another year
an empty fallow field
ringed by young white pine
standing still behind the fence by the road
a square of open space
between the houses
before the woods beyond
April 19, 2008
Transparent Leaves
Skeletons, transparent leaves
of last season, still hanging
on the maple’s branches
soon to fall to earth
as buds burst into life
Echoes of the fall,
the winter just ended
soon they will fall
and renew the earth
April 19, 2008
of last season, still hanging
on the maple’s branches
soon to fall to earth
as buds burst into life
Echoes of the fall,
the winter just ended
soon they will fall
and renew the earth
April 19, 2008
A Clump of Daffodils
A clump of daffodils
cups of bright canary
atop their swaying stems
rising from the gray-brown mulch
green and yellow,
renewal of this spring morning
beside the parking lot, the road beyond
living spring, next to the blacktop
color and life, affirmation
rebirth in their rising
love in their presence
year after year
April 19, 2008
cups of bright canary
atop their swaying stems
rising from the gray-brown mulch
green and yellow,
renewal of this spring morning
beside the parking lot, the road beyond
living spring, next to the blacktop
color and life, affirmation
rebirth in their rising
love in their presence
year after year
April 19, 2008
Sudden Forsythia
Forsythia, yellow bush aflame
springtime bursting
into sudden bloom
Memories of my childhood home
the taste of the yellow petals
their feel on my tongue
cascade of thought, memory
a rush of my history
flooding in my mind
captured in these words,
inspired by sudden forsythia
April 19, 2008
springtime bursting
into sudden bloom
Memories of my childhood home
the taste of the yellow petals
their feel on my tongue
cascade of thought, memory
a rush of my history
flooding in my mind
captured in these words,
inspired by sudden forsythia
April 19, 2008
Red over White
A hillside,
white birch, maples, poplar
red patina, wash
overlaid over the white, the gray
buds erupting, a hillside ablaze
in the awakening of Spring
April 19, 2008
white birch, maples, poplar
red patina, wash
overlaid over the white, the gray
buds erupting, a hillside ablaze
in the awakening of Spring
April 19, 2008
A Flock of Turkeys
Up on the ridge line
the farthest part of the hill
a flock of turkeys
eating in the grass
Out of place,
in the city, unexpected
Wild things, outside
the urban jungle
catching my eye,
my attention driving along
April 19, 2008
the farthest part of the hill
a flock of turkeys
eating in the grass
Out of place,
in the city, unexpected
Wild things, outside
the urban jungle
catching my eye,
my attention driving along
April 19, 2008
For Affect Alone
He took a quick puff
as he walked along
headphones on, a quick puff
not really breathing in
for affect alone
the cigarette hung by his side
a foreign element, out of place
incongruous, trying to look cool
for affect alone
April 19, 2008
as he walked along
headphones on, a quick puff
not really breathing in
for affect alone
the cigarette hung by his side
a foreign element, out of place
incongruous, trying to look cool
for affect alone
April 19, 2008
Everyday Gifts
Treasures of the king
given to us, without merit, not earned
gifts of grace, each day,
given to us by the creator
for our blessing, our cup running over
grace upon grace, heaped on our lives
Failing to see, to feel him with us;
there nonetheless, always present
waiting for us, our awareness
our turning to him
grace ready when we are
for our whole life long
the promise of eternity
with our brother, our God
April 19, 2008
Psalm 23, Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
given to us, without merit, not earned
gifts of grace, each day,
given to us by the creator
for our blessing, our cup running over
grace upon grace, heaped on our lives
Failing to see, to feel him with us;
there nonetheless, always present
waiting for us, our awareness
our turning to him
grace ready when we are
for our whole life long
the promise of eternity
with our brother, our God
April 19, 2008
Psalm 23, Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
Ordinary Grace
Each moment, each thought, each image before our eyes
magical seconds, instances of time
revelations of God’s grace
present now, all around us
swirling round our vision, our lives
Take the moments, the time to see them
feel God’s presence in the sights, the sounds,
the things of this earth, the sharing of our lives
the wonderful surprises, the moments
of ordinary grace, extraordinary
only because we fail to see
how much is heaped on us
each day, amid the clutter of our lives
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
magical seconds, instances of time
revelations of God’s grace
present now, all around us
swirling round our vision, our lives
Take the moments, the time to see them
feel God’s presence in the sights, the sounds,
the things of this earth, the sharing of our lives
the wonderful surprises, the moments
of ordinary grace, extraordinary
only because we fail to see
how much is heaped on us
each day, amid the clutter of our lives
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
Which is the Holy Ground
Which is the holy ground, when is the ground holy
a place to take off my sandals, to walk barefoot on holy ground
We miss so much, limiting ourselves
if we do not see the holy in our midst
everyday grace, ordinary, real, right before our eyes
All the ground is holy
feel the rich earth, the hard ground, the rock
beneath our bare feet. Walk, run, play, kneel
on the holy ground
all around us
a place to take off my sandals, to walk barefoot on holy ground
We miss so much, limiting ourselves
if we do not see the holy in our midst
everyday grace, ordinary, real, right before our eyes
All the ground is holy
feel the rich earth, the hard ground, the rock
beneath our bare feet. Walk, run, play, kneel
on the holy ground
all around us
====
edited
February 13, 2017
Which
is the Holy Ground – v4
(merging
edits to original and version 3)
edited
December 2, 2015
Which
is the Holy Ground – v3
(editing
original again)
edited
October 29, 2014
Which
is the Holy Ground – v2
April
19, 2008
Which
is the Holy Ground
Exodus
3:5 and reflections on
Ann
Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
All of my
poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See
all 43,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Ann
Weems, Christ, creator, earth, Exodus 3, eyes, Faith, feet, God, grace, hope,
Methodist, Nature, NEUMC, play, poem, poetry, rock, sandals, senses, walking,
Moses,
#Christ
#creator #earth #Exodus3 #eyes #Faith #God #grace #hope #Nature #UMC #poem
#poetry #senses #Moses
The Road was Holy Ground
That road, holy ground
where they walked with the risen savior
our Lord, our brother, the stranger
In his presence, with the father, the son
walking on holy ground
on a journey, a pilgrimage
the road to Emmaus,
holy ground, walking with the Lord
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
Luke 24:13-35
where they walked with the risen savior
our Lord, our brother, the stranger
In his presence, with the father, the son
walking on holy ground
on a journey, a pilgrimage
the road to Emmaus,
holy ground, walking with the Lord
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
Luke 24:13-35
Holy Ground
The Lord called
where he walked holy ground
But all the ground is holy,
where we each walk
oh take off your sandals,
feel the earth under your feet
walk barefoot on holy ground
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
where he walked holy ground
But all the ground is holy,
where we each walk
oh take off your sandals,
feel the earth under your feet
walk barefoot on holy ground
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
Rahab and the Wall
She hid the spies
and the walls came down
Down around the city
the people lost
but she was saved
for she helped them
believed in them
Oh the walls
came tumbling down
April 19, 2008
Joshua 2:1-6:27
and the walls came down
Down around the city
the people lost
but she was saved
for she helped them
believed in them
Oh the walls
came tumbling down
April 19, 2008
Joshua 2:1-6:27
He is the Way
The narrow gate, the doorway, the portal
He is the means, through him
we see the Father, none but through him
he is the way to redemption, reconciliation
the way to the father, through the son
our faith, the creed of us all
April 19, 2008
John 14:1-14
He is the means, through him
we see the Father, none but through him
he is the way to redemption, reconciliation
the way to the father, through the son
our faith, the creed of us all
April 19, 2008
John 14:1-14
Stones for the Kingdom
Each of us, irregular stones,
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to place
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
April 19, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to place
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
April 19, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10
Living Angels
The little pieces, bits of grace
some which could easily go unnoticed
people, living angels, helping us
making our days a little easier
our path a little straighter
They lift us up, watch our ways
Help us to rise up, to fly
to navigate the struggles, the challenges
of this life; who share our joys
our love, in unexpected ways
Living angels that cross our path
and make our lives better
in so many ways
April 19, 2008
Psalm 91 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=19&year=2008&x=107&y=6
some which could easily go unnoticed
people, living angels, helping us
making our days a little easier
our path a little straighter
They lift us up, watch our ways
Help us to rise up, to fly
to navigate the struggles, the challenges
of this life; who share our joys
our love, in unexpected ways
Living angels that cross our path
and make our lives better
in so many ways
April 19, 2008
Psalm 91 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=19&year=2008&x=107&y=6
Tucked in the Blanket
The moon, three-quarters full
shining in the afternoon blue
she and I walking along
“Where does the rest of the moon go?”
she asked, wondered, daydreamed
“it is tucked up under the blanket”
was my answer, that thought
and so the eye attests
the cool white reflected light
tucked up under the blue
a blanket of the dome
the moon nestled
under the covers
April 19, 2008
shining in the afternoon blue
she and I walking along
“Where does the rest of the moon go?”
she asked, wondered, daydreamed
“it is tucked up under the blanket”
was my answer, that thought
and so the eye attests
the cool white reflected light
tucked up under the blue
a blanket of the dome
the moon nestled
under the covers
April 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Bread and Wine
In remembrance, bread and wine
your sacrifice, of your life for all of ours
your body broken for the sins of man
the creator becoming the savior
the shepherd the sheep
obedience to the master’s voice
going even to death, because of the master
his faith strong enough, despite awareness
knowledge before the passion
We break the bread we share the cup
so we can see Jesus, as Cleopas and the other did
sharing with Christ the holy meal
Bread and wine, simple food
blessed are we when we share
April 16, 2008
Psalm 23
Luke 24:13-35
your sacrifice, of your life for all of ours
your body broken for the sins of man
the creator becoming the savior
the shepherd the sheep
obedience to the master’s voice
going even to death, because of the master
his faith strong enough, despite awareness
knowledge before the passion
We break the bread we share the cup
so we can see Jesus, as Cleopas and the other did
sharing with Christ the holy meal
Bread and wine, simple food
blessed are we when we share
April 16, 2008
Psalm 23
Luke 24:13-35
Stephen’s Prayer
Like our Lord, Stephen’s prayer
was for the leaders
the scribes, the Pharisees,
the chosen people, stoning him
while they were killing him
praying for their forgiveness
for their blindness, for their deaf ears
that they would see Christ
would know as he does, that He is Lord,
the Messiah the prophets foretold
Echoing Jesus’ prayer,
a reflection of the savior
his faith, even in martyrdom
April 15, 2008
Acts 7:55-60
Acts 6:1-8:3
was for the leaders
the scribes, the Pharisees,
the chosen people, stoning him
while they were killing him
praying for their forgiveness
for their blindness, for their deaf ears
that they would see Christ
would know as he does, that He is Lord,
the Messiah the prophets foretold
Echoing Jesus’ prayer,
a reflection of the savior
his faith, even in martyrdom
April 15, 2008
Acts 7:55-60
Acts 6:1-8:3
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Easter Message
Our days, all of our days,
to spread the Easter message
the singular day, reclaiming us all
rising from the dead
we rise with Him
we are no longer captives
set free to live
He came, he died
to wipe away our stain
But He rose
so we may live
Tell the world, the good news
He is risen; Christ is risen indeed!
April 15, 2008
to spread the Easter message
the singular day, reclaiming us all
rising from the dead
we rise with Him
we are no longer captives
set free to live
He came, he died
to wipe away our stain
But He rose
so we may live
Tell the world, the good news
He is risen; Christ is risen indeed!
April 15, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Her Walk With Christ
I pray she finds him
by her side
walking that dusty road
With the disciples
on the road to Emmaus
Walking with our Savior
feeling his presence
hearing the story of his grace
as if for the first time
The love of God
wrapping around you
like a prayer shawl
Your life changed forever
by the walk with Christ
April 10, 2008
by her side
walking that dusty road
With the disciples
on the road to Emmaus
Walking with our Savior
feeling his presence
hearing the story of his grace
as if for the first time
The love of God
wrapping around you
like a prayer shawl
Your life changed forever
by the walk with Christ
April 10, 2008
I am Hers
How easy it is to say,
“I am hers”;
but it is true
My life makes sense
because of her
Her smile starts my day
Her love makes the doubts fade
Her faith in me my strength
Her joy melts my fears
Her arms hold me tight
her body close to mine
as I fall asleep at night
April 10, 2008
“I am hers”;
but it is true
My life makes sense
because of her
Her smile starts my day
Her love makes the doubts fade
Her faith in me my strength
Her joy melts my fears
Her arms hold me tight
her body close to mine
as I fall asleep at night
April 10, 2008
Our Girls
So much a part of us, of our lives
our life together, with each other, with them
Constant reminds, gifts from our father
to add sparkle and joy to our days
Challenges aplenty, but joy abounds
sharing our lives together
with the Mighty Tiny Titans
April 10, 2008
our life together, with each other, with them
Constant reminds, gifts from our father
to add sparkle and joy to our days
Challenges aplenty, but joy abounds
sharing our lives together
with the Mighty Tiny Titans
April 10, 2008
A New Beginning
I feel the rumble just beyond
the far horizon line
change is coming
to our family, to your ministry
something is about to happen
a new beginning
Somewhere else to plant our roots
another field to sow the seeds
to water and to prune
to grow in another season.
April 10, 2008
the far horizon line
change is coming
to our family, to your ministry
something is about to happen
a new beginning
Somewhere else to plant our roots
another field to sow the seeds
to water and to prune
to grow in another season.
April 10, 2008
Living in His House All Our Days
Welcoming the savior into our house,
into our hearts, after the long journey
the walk to Emmaus, the story of his life
We open the door to the father’s house
to his offer of grace, when we let him in
a joining, a baptism, of the spirit, in the offer
the acceptance of love, of grace
Living in his house, all of our days
receiving the gift of grace
over and over
on the journey of faith
our ministry to the world
sharing Christ in all we do
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
into our hearts, after the long journey
the walk to Emmaus, the story of his life
We open the door to the father’s house
to his offer of grace, when we let him in
a joining, a baptism, of the spirit, in the offer
the acceptance of love, of grace
Living in his house, all of our days
receiving the gift of grace
over and over
on the journey of faith
our ministry to the world
sharing Christ in all we do
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Open the Door
Open the door, step through the threshold
enter the house of the father
accepting his gift of grace
his reconciliation, relationship once more
saying yes to the father, living in his grace
confession and repentance
becoming his sheep, his disciple
being the hands and feet, the voice
of the savior, the living Christ
for the world
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
enter the house of the father
accepting his gift of grace
his reconciliation, relationship once more
saying yes to the father, living in his grace
confession and repentance
becoming his sheep, his disciple
being the hands and feet, the voice
of the savior, the living Christ
for the world
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Walk to Emmaus
On the walk, the journey
the road to Emmaus
they learned from the master
the story of his life, his ministry
the fulfillment of all the prophets
in the living of his days
Sharing an afternoon with them
but so much more
Changing their lives
in the instant of awareness
the stranger the Christ
discovered in his holy sacrifice
remembered in the blessing,
in the bread, the wine,
just as we do when we share
when we partake of that holy meal
When we share the memory
of his saving grace
And, like Cleopas and the other,
we must tell the good news
proclaim it; Christ is risen!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
the road to Emmaus
they learned from the master
the story of his life, his ministry
the fulfillment of all the prophets
in the living of his days
Sharing an afternoon with them
but so much more
Changing their lives
in the instant of awareness
the stranger the Christ
discovered in his holy sacrifice
remembered in the blessing,
in the bread, the wine,
just as we do when we share
when we partake of that holy meal
When we share the memory
of his saving grace
And, like Cleopas and the other,
we must tell the good news
proclaim it; Christ is risen!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Run to Jerusalem
Run to Jerusalem
to the eleven, the apostles
tell his disciples the good news
the Lord is risen, he walked with us
on the road home, revealed in the blessing,
the bread and wine, the savior risen
alive with us on the road
sharing all the scripture, the prophets
his story told to us proof by proof
our hearts burning within us
joy walked with us
his grace heaped upon us
on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
to the eleven, the apostles
tell his disciples the good news
the Lord is risen, he walked with us
on the road home, revealed in the blessing,
the bread and wine, the savior risen
alive with us on the road
sharing all the scripture, the prophets
his story told to us proof by proof
our hearts burning within us
joy walked with us
his grace heaped upon us
on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Breaking Their Bread
It was his act of sharing, this honored guest
a stranger revealed as the savior
the risen messiah, breaking their bread
welcomed into their home, sharing the sacrifice
the saving of his grace, his gift
disciples whose eyes were opened
the pilgrims on the road home
learning directly from the master
but made to see in his communion
his sharing of the bread and wine
with them in their home
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
a stranger revealed as the savior
the risen messiah, breaking their bread
welcomed into their home, sharing the sacrifice
the saving of his grace, his gift
disciples whose eyes were opened
the pilgrims on the road home
learning directly from the master
but made to see in his communion
his sharing of the bread and wine
with them in their home
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Their Eyes Were Opened
His blessing, his act of sacrifice
revealed his identity
to the shocked disciples
they who had walked the road to Emmaus
with the stranger that day
Suddenly aware of the savior
in that split second of realization
before he disappeared from their presence
Tell the eleven! The savior lives!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
revealed his identity
to the shocked disciples
they who had walked the road to Emmaus
with the stranger that day
Suddenly aware of the savior
in that split second of realization
before he disappeared from their presence
Tell the eleven! The savior lives!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
A Stranger Unknown to Them
He was for them,
a stranger, unknown to them
this man, joining them on the road home
Lost in pain, in doubt, confusion
they walked the dusty trail
He fell into their gait, walking with them
asking questions, probing questions
Sharing scripture, his story
burning hearts within them,
in the telling of the story,
reclaiming, renewing their spirits
In the breaking of the bread, the blessing,
the cup of salvation, awareness, joy
a stranger no more, our savior revealed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
a stranger, unknown to them
this man, joining them on the road home
Lost in pain, in doubt, confusion
they walked the dusty trail
He fell into their gait, walking with them
asking questions, probing questions
Sharing scripture, his story
burning hearts within them,
in the telling of the story,
reclaiming, renewing their spirits
In the breaking of the bread, the blessing,
the cup of salvation, awareness, joy
a stranger no more, our savior revealed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Entering into Their House
As they did, calling him, asking him in
we call Christ, into our homes, into our hearts
to dwell in us, with us, to be in communion
to share our lives, our days; hot, tired from the road
they begged him to stay a while longer
to enter their house, to bless them with his presence
Entering in, they saw the risen Christ
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
we call Christ, into our homes, into our hearts
to dwell in us, with us, to be in communion
to share our lives, our days; hot, tired from the road
they begged him to stay a while longer
to enter their house, to bless them with his presence
Entering in, they saw the risen Christ
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Walk with Jesus
We too must be aware
hear the message there is for us
to walk with Jesus, as God intended
to share the road, the journey with him
walking the path of life, following the shepherd
the master’s call for us; feeling his presence
on the way with him
We are free to choose,
to accept the offer of grace
always there, always ready
constantly new, arms wide open
Walk with Jesus, be his disciple
so the rest of the world
will know his saving grace
and come home to the Father
each one of us a prodigal child
Each one wanted by the father
each one valued, very good
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
hear the message there is for us
to walk with Jesus, as God intended
to share the road, the journey with him
walking the path of life, following the shepherd
the master’s call for us; feeling his presence
on the way with him
We are free to choose,
to accept the offer of grace
always there, always ready
constantly new, arms wide open
Walk with Jesus, be his disciple
so the rest of the world
will know his saving grace
and come home to the Father
each one of us a prodigal child
Each one wanted by the father
each one valued, very good
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Dust on Our Feet
If we are ready, prepared to enter into the house
our father’s house, into the rooms with our names
we have dust on our feet, with the disciples,
walking the ancient road home
walking with our Lord, our savior,
our shepherd, following his footsteps
hearing his story anew for us
offering him welcome in our homes
recognizing him in the breaking of the bread
the drinking of the wine
just as they did that Easter day
Feeling their joy
in that moment of awareness
when their blindness was transformed
into joy; He is risen indeed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
our father’s house, into the rooms with our names
we have dust on our feet, with the disciples,
walking the ancient road home
walking with our Lord, our savior,
our shepherd, following his footsteps
hearing his story anew for us
offering him welcome in our homes
recognizing him in the breaking of the bread
the drinking of the wine
just as they did that Easter day
Feeling their joy
in that moment of awareness
when their blindness was transformed
into joy; He is risen indeed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Not Merely Studying
Living history, living ministry
the story of the walk to Emmaus
the disciples on the road,
real for me, in the truth
their blindness real to me
the failure to see Christ
in the stranger walking with them
that Easter day, their hearts too heavy
to know the joy beside them
immersed in the story,
the steps they walked
not merely studying the words
walking the road with Cleopas,
with his companion
and with our risen savior
joining them on the journey of grace
all the days of our lives to come
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
the story of the walk to Emmaus
the disciples on the road,
real for me, in the truth
their blindness real to me
the failure to see Christ
in the stranger walking with them
that Easter day, their hearts too heavy
to know the joy beside them
immersed in the story,
the steps they walked
not merely studying the words
walking the road with Cleopas,
with his companion
and with our risen savior
joining them on the journey of grace
all the days of our lives to come
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Being There With Them
On the walk, we are there, with them
on the road with our savior
feeling his story, his message
real and alive for us
hearing the words of his life
his mission, ours now
in new and right ways
Feeling the presence
of our Lord,
our hearts burning as theirs were
so long ago, on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
on the road with our savior
feeling his story, his message
real and alive for us
hearing the words of his life
his mission, ours now
in new and right ways
Feeling the presence
of our Lord,
our hearts burning as theirs were
so long ago, on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Squatter's Rights
By grace, we enter in,
into our Father’s house
We have squatter’s rights
immediately given, by grace
living in our Father’s house
day by day learning, growing
knowing more of the treasures there
the hidden rooms, the joys
of living there, day by day
growing in grace
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
into our Father’s house
We have squatter’s rights
immediately given, by grace
living in our Father’s house
day by day learning, growing
knowing more of the treasures there
the hidden rooms, the joys
of living there, day by day
growing in grace
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Psalms 23
In our Middle High Sunday School today, April 13, 2008
we read 8 different versions of Psalm 23, from The Message,
the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised Standard Version,
the New Revised Standard Bible, the New International Version,
the Good News Bible, the King James Bible, and “A psalm for learners”.
We then each wrote our own psalm, using a template of:
God is my . . .
God leads me . . .
God restores . . .
Even when . . . I will not . . . for God . . .
God sets . . .
Surely . . .
And I will . . . my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Erica
God is my savior; he saves me from sin.
God leads me through the valley of sin and death.
God restores me with his words of live
Even when I have hatred in my heart
I will not leave him for God is
my salvation
God sets a pace for him to pace me.
Surely he will lead me home
And I will listen and love him with
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Sara
God is my sense of direction
God leads me along the path right to take
God restores my soul and my confidence
Even when I start to stray
I will not be disobedient for God is love.
God sets the pace
Surely he will lead the way
And I will follow him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ian
God is my chef
God leads me to the dinner table
God restores my stomach to a state of happiness
Even when there are brussel sprouts
I will not lament for God will
replace them with green beans
God sets my place with lots of good food
Surely I will never miss a meal
And I will eat well my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ryan
God is my guardian who helps me when I need help
God leads me to believe what is true.
God restores my want to learn
Even when I lose all hope
I will not fail for God is on my side
God sets challenges for me in every new experience
And I will keep an open mind on how to get through
these challenges my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Jessica
God is my shepherd
God leads me home when lost
God restores hope
Even when feeling down
I will not hate for God is my God
God sets a path for me
Surely he loves me
And I will always love him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ray
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
we read 8 different versions of Psalm 23, from The Message,
the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised Standard Version,
the New Revised Standard Bible, the New International Version,
the Good News Bible, the King James Bible, and “A psalm for learners”.
We then each wrote our own psalm, using a template of:
God is my . . .
God leads me . . .
God restores . . .
Even when . . . I will not . . . for God . . .
God sets . . .
Surely . . .
And I will . . . my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Erica
God is my savior; he saves me from sin.
God leads me through the valley of sin and death.
God restores me with his words of live
Even when I have hatred in my heart
I will not leave him for God is
my salvation
God sets a pace for him to pace me.
Surely he will lead me home
And I will listen and love him with
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Sara
God is my sense of direction
God leads me along the path right to take
God restores my soul and my confidence
Even when I start to stray
I will not be disobedient for God is love.
God sets the pace
Surely he will lead the way
And I will follow him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ian
God is my chef
God leads me to the dinner table
God restores my stomach to a state of happiness
Even when there are brussel sprouts
I will not lament for God will
replace them with green beans
God sets my place with lots of good food
Surely I will never miss a meal
And I will eat well my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ryan
God is my guardian who helps me when I need help
God leads me to believe what is true.
God restores my want to learn
Even when I lose all hope
I will not fail for God is on my side
God sets challenges for me in every new experience
And I will keep an open mind on how to get through
these challenges my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Jessica
God is my shepherd
God leads me home when lost
God restores hope
Even when feeling down
I will not hate for God is my God
God sets a path for me
Surely he loves me
And I will always love him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ray
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
Psalm 23
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Morning Sun
morning sun, streamed in the window
as I was washing the dishes
smiling on my day at its starting
calming my nerves, the jitters of the day
warming the morning, brightening
shining on my work, on me
the clouds haven’t parted
sky milky white; but the sun is there
staking a claim on the growing day
soon enough, it will hold sway
April 12, 2008
as I was washing the dishes
smiling on my day at its starting
calming my nerves, the jitters of the day
warming the morning, brightening
shining on my work, on me
the clouds haven’t parted
sky milky white; but the sun is there
staking a claim on the growing day
soon enough, it will hold sway
April 12, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Her Teaching
In her rejoinder, her insistence
teaching for the master
on the scope of his mission
his ministry of love
to heal the whole world,
all who would hear
who would come to his message
and believe in faith
as she did.
Knowing who he was
and bowing at his feet
Even the dogs deserve the crumbs
and the crumbs are enough
to be truly fed
April 9, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
teaching for the master
on the scope of his mission
his ministry of love
to heal the whole world,
all who would hear
who would come to his message
and believe in faith
as she did.
Knowing who he was
and bowing at his feet
Even the dogs deserve the crumbs
and the crumbs are enough
to be truly fed
April 9, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
Just the Hem of His Robe
She had faith, enough to heal herself
just the hem of his robe, a mere brush
of her hand on the hem of his robe
and she would be healed
such was her simple faith
not wanting to stop him,
to be the center of attention
take him from his mission
her fingers coursing over the fringe
of his robe was more than sufficient
She was healed by such faith
April 9, 2008
Matthew 9:20-22
just the hem of his robe, a mere brush
of her hand on the hem of his robe
and she would be healed
such was her simple faith
not wanting to stop him,
to be the center of attention
take him from his mission
her fingers coursing over the fringe
of his robe was more than sufficient
She was healed by such faith
April 9, 2008
Matthew 9:20-22
All Our Days to Come
Carrying the hope, the message, the joy
knowing God, His grace, inside of us
Marked by the savior, the creator, the spirit within us
walking all of our days, from this weekend forward
with God, with our brothers, knowing, feeling
the warmth of the fire, the collection of embers
brighter when kept close together
living our walk each of
the rest of the days of our lives
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #15, Fourth Day
knowing God, His grace, inside of us
Marked by the savior, the creator, the spirit within us
walking all of our days, from this weekend forward
with God, with our brothers, knowing, feeling
the warmth of the fire, the collection of embers
brighter when kept close together
living our walk each of
the rest of the days of our lives
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #15, Fourth Day
To Persevere
to strive, to grow, to fight
growing spiritually together,
living our faith in community
worshiping, studying,
changing the world together
bringing God’s message of love
as the body of Christ
out into the world
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #14, Perseverance
growing spiritually together,
living our faith in community
worshiping, studying,
changing the world together
bringing God’s message of love
as the body of Christ
out into the world
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #14, Perseverance
We Are the Body
not the walls, the things, the edifice
we are the body of Christ
the living, breathing, vital church
in covenant and always
focused outward on the world
model our faith, proclaim the good news
and go and be His hands and feet
together
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #13, Body of Christ
we are the body of Christ
the living, breathing, vital church
in covenant and always
focused outward on the world
model our faith, proclaim the good news
and go and be His hands and feet
together
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #13, Body of Christ
Sanctifying
growing in faith, in piety, in response
to the cleansing grace of conversion
living in grace, steps one at a time
perfecting us in love, as the creator longs for
wanted since the beginning of time
endlessly growing in grace
in our very hearts
living as Christ lived
trusting always in God
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #12, Sanctifying Grace
to the cleansing grace of conversion
living in grace, steps one at a time
perfecting us in love, as the creator longs for
wanted since the beginning of time
endlessly growing in grace
in our very hearts
living as Christ lived
trusting always in God
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #12, Sanctifying Grace
The World in Need of Change
How easy it is to see
the world in need of change
hope in tragedy, in injustice
only through our action,
our voices raised against them
our hands joining others
showing Christ’s love
for the whole world
working together
to the ends of the earth
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #11, Changing Our World
the world in need of change
hope in tragedy, in injustice
only through our action,
our voices raised against them
our hands joining others
showing Christ’s love
for the whole world
working together
to the ends of the earth
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #11, Changing Our World
Discipleship
A journey, not an end, a way to walk in life
as disciples, faithful followers
of our risen lord
never alone, always with our brother,
“Follow me” he said
immediately, breathlessly, they followed
So are we called, to change our path
and follow him
on a journey of grace
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #10, Discipleship
as disciples, faithful followers
of our risen lord
never alone, always with our brother,
“Follow me” he said
immediately, breathlessly, they followed
So are we called, to change our path
and follow him
on a journey of grace
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #10, Discipleship
We Are the Barriers
We are the barriers, the obstacles,
the impediments, stumbling blocks
to relationship with God
naked and confused we live
Our sin the broken glass we fear to tread
But God is there, ready for our confession,
our true repentance, out of love,
casting off all these chains
we carry in life
Ready to love us
even in our brokenness
healing us all
making us whole
again and again
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk # 9, Obstacles to Grace
the impediments, stumbling blocks
to relationship with God
naked and confused we live
Our sin the broken glass we fear to tread
But God is there, ready for our confession,
our true repentance, out of love,
casting off all these chains
we carry in life
Ready to love us
even in our brokenness
healing us all
making us whole
again and again
April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk # 9, Obstacles to Grace
Merely a Foretaste
In the breaking of the bread
the pouring forth of the wine
a mere foretaste, a faint inkling
A banquet beyond imagination awaits
all are fed, all are welcome
We are called to the table
for the heavenly feast
April 8, 2008 18:50
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #7, Means of Grace
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 19,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the pouring forth of the wine
a mere foretaste, a faint inkling
A banquet beyond imagination awaits
all are fed, all are welcome
We are called to the table
for the heavenly feast
April 8, 2008 18:50
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #7, Means of Grace
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 19,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Grateful Response
Lord, I give you my hands, my feet, my voice
all I am is given by you
my saving is by your blood
your grace heaped on me beyond measure
so I give you my gifts, my all
to serve in your name
wherever you may send me
April 8, 2008 18:47
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #8, Christian Action
all I am is given by you
my saving is by your blood
your grace heaped on me beyond measure
so I give you my gifts, my all
to serve in your name
wherever you may send me
April 8, 2008 18:47
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #8, Christian Action
Our Minds
Our minds, given to God
Spending time in Your Word,
the holy mystery recorded
revealed in the life of a people
and the life and death of a son
A story of redemption
in the sacrifice of the savior,
willingly, lovingly given
The love of the father
Ageless stories of grace upon grace
revealed in our story,
for it is our story too
if we give our minds to God
April 8, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #6, Growth through Study
Spending time in Your Word,
the holy mystery recorded
revealed in the life of a people
and the life and death of a son
A story of redemption
in the sacrifice of the savior,
willingly, lovingly given
The love of the father
Ageless stories of grace upon grace
revealed in our story,
for it is our story too
if we give our minds to God
April 8, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #6, Growth through Study
Piety - 2
Practices for a lifetime of faith
In our everyday life
Enjoying a true relationship with God
Take time to study, for worship and prayer
You will be amazed!
April 8, 2008 18:13
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #5, A Life of Piety
In our everyday life
Enjoying a true relationship with God
Take time to study, for worship and prayer
You will be amazed!
April 8, 2008 18:13
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #5, A Life of Piety
Opening Grace
Peel back the wrapping,
the bows and ribbon
open the box of grace
ready for each one of us
specially made and cared for
until we are ready
Open the gift of salvation
and feel His love in our hearts
April 8, 2008 18:07
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #4, Justifying Grace
the bows and ribbon
open the box of grace
ready for each one of us
specially made and cared for
until we are ready
Open the gift of salvation
and feel His love in our hearts
April 8, 2008 18:07
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #4, Justifying Grace
Believers
Commissioned believers
called, each of us, to proclaim
to preach, to witness
a royal priesthood of the faithful
like those timid followers
transformed disciples on Pentecost
imbued by the Spirit and
charged by our savior
to be in the vanguard
and reach those who have not heard
To be Christ to all we meet
April 8, 2008 18:02
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #3, The Priesthood of All Believers
called, each of us, to proclaim
to preach, to witness
a royal priesthood of the faithful
like those timid followers
transformed disciples on Pentecost
imbued by the Spirit and
charged by our savior
to be in the vanguard
and reach those who have not heard
To be Christ to all we meet
April 8, 2008 18:02
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #3, The Priesthood of All Believers
Ever Present
Prevenient grace
all around us
ever present God
A living thing, grace
moving with us
there, ready, waiting
calling us, stalking us
arms of the creator
the father’s arms open wide
ready to envelop us
if we but call His name
all around us
ever present God
A living thing, grace
moving with us
there, ready, waiting
calling us, stalking us
arms of the creator
the father’s arms open wide
ready to envelop us
if we but call His name
April 8, 2008 17:58
Ever Present
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #2, Prevenient Grace
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 38,320+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Our Free Will
By our free will
we can chart a course,
follow our guidestar
our mission, our priority
unlike the beasts, the plants,
the rocks of the earth or
the stars in the heavens
We alone, more than any other
tack to our own wind
and choose the path we take
April 8, 2008 17:55
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #1, Priority
we can chart a course,
follow our guidestar
our mission, our priority
unlike the beasts, the plants,
the rocks of the earth or
the stars in the heavens
We alone, more than any other
tack to our own wind
and choose the path we take
April 8, 2008 17:55
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #1, Priority
A Moving Faith
By his faith he went
leaving all he had known
only the promise of God
to be with him always
A piety, a trust, that shook the world
Father of us all, teach us
by your wonderful example
going into the unknown,
setting out on a journey,
not knowing the end
going on his trust, his faith in God
April 8, 2008 17:52
Genesis 12:1-9
Genesis 12:1-4a and
sermon, “Peculiar Treasures II: Abraham on the Move”
by the Rev. Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 2/17/08
leaving all he had known
only the promise of God
to be with him always
A piety, a trust, that shook the world
Father of us all, teach us
by your wonderful example
going into the unknown,
setting out on a journey,
not knowing the end
going on his trust, his faith in God
April 8, 2008 17:52
Genesis 12:1-9
Genesis 12:1-4a and
sermon, “Peculiar Treasures II: Abraham on the Move”
by the Rev. Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 2/17/08
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
He Breaks the Bread We Share
The risen Christ, there at supper with us
walking with him, dusty and tired
joining us at the table, sharing His story with us
there, breaking the bread with us
the cup of salvation, wine of the covenant
feed my weary soul; make me new
Spirit wash me clean, make me your disciple
Walk with me all the days of my life
April 8, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
walking with him, dusty and tired
joining us at the table, sharing His story with us
there, breaking the bread with us
the cup of salvation, wine of the covenant
feed my weary soul; make me new
Spirit wash me clean, make me your disciple
Walk with me all the days of my life
April 8, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Monday, April 07, 2008
Silently
Silently, in our own thoughts,
we waited, unsure, with a bit of trepidation
wondering what the day would hold
how the time would unfold
what was going to happen to us, for us
silently thinking, praying, wishing to begin
hoping for His presence with us
as we worked together, in ministry
as we served one another,
helping each other have the chance,
the opportunity to grow
to find Jesus on the road
and call him to join us
on all of our days to come
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
we waited, unsure, with a bit of trepidation
wondering what the day would hold
how the time would unfold
what was going to happen to us, for us
silently thinking, praying, wishing to begin
hoping for His presence with us
as we worked together, in ministry
as we served one another,
helping each other have the chance,
the opportunity to grow
to find Jesus on the road
and call him to join us
on all of our days to come
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Water Shaping Stone
His life changed, over time
like water shaping stone,
carving the rock with
the force of a torrent,
the crash of the waves,
the etching of the ice moving;
but shaping stone too,
with the droplets of waters
the summer rains,
the trickles down the mountainside
cutting into the stone,
in little cleft points,
places where faith can
gather a foothold
seeds can find a purchase,
scales can be flaked away
and change came, for him
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
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 19,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
like water shaping stone,
carving the rock with
the force of a torrent,
the crash of the waves,
the etching of the ice moving;
but shaping stone too,
with the droplets of waters
the summer rains,
the trickles down the mountainside
cutting into the stone,
in little cleft points,
places where faith can
gather a foothold
seeds can find a purchase,
scales can be flaked away
and change came, for him
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
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 19,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
His Courage
Each talk, a risk, an opening of our own true self
before the congregation, the pilgrims
But his was different, at least by measure
His pain, shared with us, a bit more real
a bit more courageous, more raw
Sharing the lost of her, the tragic, senselessness
a moment, poignant and true, galvanized
stilling us in our tracks, there with him,
seeing ourselves, fleetingly, in our shoes
What if it was our child . . .
some other fathers thought
His story, the rest of the story, a victory
a climbing up from the pit of despair
brought into the loving arms of our father
coming home, like the prodigal son;
but going beyond, understanding the whole of the story
by his deep personal witness, shared with us
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
before the congregation, the pilgrims
But his was different, at least by measure
His pain, shared with us, a bit more real
a bit more courageous, more raw
Sharing the lost of her, the tragic, senselessness
a moment, poignant and true, galvanized
stilling us in our tracks, there with him,
seeing ourselves, fleetingly, in our shoes
What if it was our child . . .
some other fathers thought
His story, the rest of the story, a victory
a climbing up from the pit of despair
brought into the loving arms of our father
coming home, like the prodigal son;
but going beyond, understanding the whole of the story
by his deep personal witness, shared with us
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Abide in the Vine
Live in the vine,
the whole of our lives long
drawing nourishment
from the living water,
the fertile soil,
from the stalk,
the growing branches
bearing fruit
worthy of the vine,
rich luscious,
life giving fruit,
for the world
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
the whole of our lives long
drawing nourishment
from the living water,
the fertile soil,
from the stalk,
the growing branches
bearing fruit
worthy of the vine,
rich luscious,
life giving fruit,
for the world
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Living Anew
Rising from his knees, slowly
for he had been in prayer, heavy deep, honest prayer
petitioning the creator, for a lifetime gone
the weight of the years set down, cast off
shackles of guilt, of shame, long ago rusted, unlocked
callous, scars where they sat around his heart
softening in the sanctuary, melting away
Living anew, or so he would from that moment on
unburdened and reborn, in forgiveness and love
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
for he had been in prayer, heavy deep, honest prayer
petitioning the creator, for a lifetime gone
the weight of the years set down, cast off
shackles of guilt, of shame, long ago rusted, unlocked
callous, scars where they sat around his heart
softening in the sanctuary, melting away
Living anew, or so he would from that moment on
unburdened and reborn, in forgiveness and love
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
A Priesthood
We are called to be set apart
to live in the world for a sacred purpose
a common mission to bring to the world
the good news of the grace of God
the saving grace of the creator
bringing us all to him
Preaching in our work, our witness
His role in our lives,
His work we continue
wherever we are placed
doing the tasks that are given to us
our part, using our gifts, our talents
for the glory of the kingdom
a joyful priesthood
responding to his loving grace
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
to live in the world for a sacred purpose
a common mission to bring to the world
the good news of the grace of God
the saving grace of the creator
bringing us all to him
Preaching in our work, our witness
His role in our lives,
His work we continue
wherever we are placed
doing the tasks that are given to us
our part, using our gifts, our talents
for the glory of the kingdom
a joyful priesthood
responding to his loving grace
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Messengers of Christ
Witnesses in the world
being Christ to one another.
Showing His love, His grace
for those who do not know Him
Being His smiling face,
hands offering help
His voice against injustice
Each of us ministers,
priests to proclaim the good news
willing to go where we are called
to be channels of God’s love
making Christ real, to be the church
a mission of love to the world
April 4 & April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
being Christ to one another.
Showing His love, His grace
for those who do not know Him
Being His smiling face,
hands offering help
His voice against injustice
Each of us ministers,
priests to proclaim the good news
willing to go where we are called
to be channels of God’s love
making Christ real, to be the church
a mission of love to the world
April 4 & April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Falling Silence
As the slow falling snow
the silence wrapped around us
spending time alone with God together
stilling ourselves, quieting our spirits
slowing our pace, our breath
hoping, praying, we will be open, ready
the message to come in fellowship
Letting the silence overtake us
go before us
hearing God’s small voice for me
April 4 & April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
the silence wrapped around us
spending time alone with God together
stilling ourselves, quieting our spirits
slowing our pace, our breath
hoping, praying, we will be open, ready
the message to come in fellowship
Letting the silence overtake us
go before us
hearing God’s small voice for me
April 4 & April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
In His Tears
In his tears, I saw a glimpse of God
touching a heart He loves
deepening, enriching, filling his heart
with the warmth of His grace, His mercy, His care
wrapping His arms around his heaving shoulders
loving arms of our heavenly father
meeting him in the silence of his tears
etching down his rugged cheeks
A moment of grace in his life
tears of joy that Sunday ‘morn
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
touching a heart He loves
deepening, enriching, filling his heart
with the warmth of His grace, His mercy, His care
wrapping His arms around his heaving shoulders
loving arms of our heavenly father
meeting him in the silence of his tears
etching down his rugged cheeks
A moment of grace in his life
tears of joy that Sunday ‘morn
April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Monday, March 31, 2008
We are the Dogs
We are the dogs, the unclean,
the animals, the outsiders
Not the children, the chosen ones
for whom he came.
We are the dogs,
unworthy of a seat at the table
crumbs for us, under the table
scraps to eat
But oh there is enough
even in the crumbs
a bountiful harvest
of living grace in the crumbs
endless sustenance
even in the crumbs
March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
the animals, the outsiders
Not the children, the chosen ones
for whom he came.
We are the dogs,
unworthy of a seat at the table
crumbs for us, under the table
scraps to eat
But oh there is enough
even in the crumbs
a bountiful harvest
of living grace in the crumbs
endless sustenance
even in the crumbs
March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
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 31,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Food Enough
Oh, there is food enough, for the children,
the dogs, the cats, the whole world
food enough for all to be fed, nourished
filled with the spirit, with the grace, with the hope
of the risen Christ, the love of the father
brought to earth in the son; saving us all
food enough, to eat, to drink, to be made whole
bread and wine, living water,
light for the nations
guiding our feet
food enough
bread from
heaven
March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
the dogs, the cats, the whole world
food enough for all to be fed, nourished
filled with the spirit, with the grace, with the hope
of the risen Christ, the love of the father
brought to earth in the son; saving us all
food enough, to eat, to drink, to be made whole
bread and wine, living water,
light for the nations
guiding our feet
food enough
bread from
heaven
March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
The Children don’t know what they are missing
He came, first, to feed the children
to prove the scriptures, fulfill the prophets
to bring the chosen people, back to the fold
the greener pastures, the arms of the father
prodigal children coming home
But they turned their backs,
closed their minds, deaf ears, blind eyes
to the truth of his presence among them
some believed; but it was often the dogs
the ones who were not of the faith
who had faith in him, who believed
from his birth, traveling from far in the east
to his stable bed. Those not of the covenant
believed in the new covenant
The children don’t know what they are missing
March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
to prove the scriptures, fulfill the prophets
to bring the chosen people, back to the fold
the greener pastures, the arms of the father
prodigal children coming home
But they turned their backs,
closed their minds, deaf ears, blind eyes
to the truth of his presence among them
some believed; but it was often the dogs
the ones who were not of the faith
who had faith in him, who believed
from his birth, traveling from far in the east
to his stable bed. Those not of the covenant
believed in the new covenant
The children don’t know what they are missing
March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
Walk Humbly
Walk humbly, with our brothers, our sisters,
with our loving God, to fall to his will
to see ourselves in others, to wish harm
on no one on earth
Being Christ in this time, our place
to do the will of the father, our father
in all we say, all we think, all we do
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
with our loving God, to fall to his will
to see ourselves in others, to wish harm
on no one on earth
Being Christ in this time, our place
to do the will of the father, our father
in all we say, all we think, all we do
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
Love Mercy
Love mercy, kindness, compassion
in the world, in the work of the pilgrims,
disciples to the nations, as we must be
serve those who are in need, offer a hand
offer hope, love, in the name of Christ
spread his message to the ends of the earth
for in his example we find our path
our humble savior, a lowly servant
He who would be king
a messiah on a donkey, on the cross
not on a flaming chariot,
a fire breathing stallion
He knew his power
but fell to the ground
and washed the disciples feet
fell to the ground in prayer
and did the father’s will
Showing mercy to us all
in the gift of his life
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
in the world, in the work of the pilgrims,
disciples to the nations, as we must be
serve those who are in need, offer a hand
offer hope, love, in the name of Christ
spread his message to the ends of the earth
for in his example we find our path
our humble savior, a lowly servant
He who would be king
a messiah on a donkey, on the cross
not on a flaming chariot,
a fire breathing stallion
He knew his power
but fell to the ground
and washed the disciples feet
fell to the ground in prayer
and did the father’s will
Showing mercy to us all
in the gift of his life
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
Do Justice
Work to do justice
to find placed where you can fight
to heal those who have been wronged
to feed the hungry, to stop the diseases
free the captives from their bonds
Seek the better way, for your community
our world each day
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
to find placed where you can fight
to heal those who have been wronged
to feed the hungry, to stop the diseases
free the captives from their bonds
Seek the better way, for your community
our world each day
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
Do Not Judge
Be careful what you say, what you think
walk humbly, focusing on your own faults
your own growing edges are enough
Put yourself in your neighbor’s shoes,
walk in the servant’s sandals
show kindness to all whom you meet
for we all sin, all need God’s grace
his boundless mercy, to be saved
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
Matthew 7:1-2
John 8:7
walk humbly, focusing on your own faults
your own growing edges are enough
Put yourself in your neighbor’s shoes,
walk in the servant’s sandals
show kindness to all whom you meet
for we all sin, all need God’s grace
his boundless mercy, to be saved
March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
Matthew 7:1-2
John 8:7
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Her Future
A new future, a sudden change
leaving the old, the comfortable behind
new promise, new hope
beyond the horizon line
her future, on another road
a different path, another vineyard
sowing in another field
reaping where others have sown, pruned
nurturing another’s children
culling the chaff, bringing the harvest
into the master’s granary
Planting anew, in its season
a new future in another place
May she reap a bountiful harvest there.
March 30, 2008
leaving the old, the comfortable behind
new promise, new hope
beyond the horizon line
her future, on another road
a different path, another vineyard
sowing in another field
reaping where others have sown, pruned
nurturing another’s children
culling the chaff, bringing the harvest
into the master’s granary
Planting anew, in its season
a new future in another place
May she reap a bountiful harvest there.
March 30, 2008
Blessed to Believe
How blessed to believe
in the unseen, the unproven
knowing, somewhere deep within
the true, unrevealed but indwelling
articles of faith. That which we share
convey to all who will hear,
to generations to come.
Carrying his story, their story,
our story, to the ends of the earth
Believing by faith,
seeing the signs of his grace
everywhere, all around us
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
in the unseen, the unproven
knowing, somewhere deep within
the true, unrevealed but indwelling
articles of faith. That which we share
convey to all who will hear,
to generations to come.
Carrying his story, their story,
our story, to the ends of the earth
Believing by faith,
seeing the signs of his grace
everywhere, all around us
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Believing
Their story in those later days
more than while he lived,
those days after Easter morning
lessons on the nature of Christ,
on believing for all Christians
Walking, sharing, being with them
giving them what they needed
preparing them to believe
fulfillment of all scripture in Christ
their ability to go forth
faith to tell the world
to share his story, their belief
throughout the ages
to the present day
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Luke 24:13-35
more than while he lived,
those days after Easter morning
lessons on the nature of Christ,
on believing for all Christians
Walking, sharing, being with them
giving them what they needed
preparing them to believe
fulfillment of all scripture in Christ
their ability to go forth
faith to tell the world
to share his story, their belief
throughout the ages
to the present day
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Luke 24:13-35
Doubting
Doubting disciples
servants not yet prepared
hiding in the shadows of the city
hoping, praying that he will return
cast off the shackles of death
bring heaven to the earth
Doubting disciples
needing his presence among them
to believe. His hands to touch
his side to pierce once more
Needing to touch to believe.
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
servants not yet prepared
hiding in the shadows of the city
hoping, praying that he will return
cast off the shackles of death
bring heaven to the earth
Doubting disciples
needing his presence among them
to believe. His hands to touch
his side to pierce once more
Needing to touch to believe.
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Touching
Touching his hands
placing our hand
into his side, the open gash
where the spear
thrust by the centurion
into our savior
dying, dead on the cross
Believing, instantly, immediately;
but only in touching
experiencing the living shepherd
through contact, empirical evidence
shackled to seeing
believing only what could be proven
How hard it is
cross that threshold
to believe by faith alone
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
placing our hand
into his side, the open gash
where the spear
thrust by the centurion
into our savior
dying, dead on the cross
Believing, instantly, immediately;
but only in touching
experiencing the living shepherd
through contact, empirical evidence
shackled to seeing
believing only what could be proven
How hard it is
cross that threshold
to believe by faith alone
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Seeing
Seeing the risen Lord
in their midst
joining them in secret
in their locked room
revealing his resurrection
to the faithful together
meeting them as they were
timid and afraid, in hiding
giving them the spirit
equipping them directly
Showing them signs
making himself real to them
believing so that we can know
the true nature of Christ,
our living God
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
in their midst
joining them in secret
in their locked room
revealing his resurrection
to the faithful together
meeting them as they were
timid and afraid, in hiding
giving them the spirit
equipping them directly
Showing them signs
making himself real to them
believing so that we can know
the true nature of Christ,
our living God
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Breathing
It was his breath,
no tongues of fire,
giving the holy spirit
into their trembling hearts
breathing life into the scared followers
preparing them, us, to be witness
to proclaim the good news
Christ is the Messiah,
the Son of God, savior and redeemer
living in our very breath
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Acts 2:1-12
no tongues of fire,
giving the holy spirit
into their trembling hearts
breathing life into the scared followers
preparing them, us, to be witness
to proclaim the good news
Christ is the Messiah,
the Son of God, savior and redeemer
living in our very breath
March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Acts 2:1-12
The Crumbs are Enough
the food so rich, its taste sweet
beyond measure, beyond comparing
even the crumbs are enough
ample, sufficient to fill out hunger,
our longings, our needs
Here to feed the children, but the scraps
cast off and dropped for the dogs
able to nourish, to feed all the world
so was his gift, his lesson, his example
from him all are fed, the chosen ones
and all, to the ends of the earth
March 30, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/03/crumbs-are-enough.html
beyond measure, beyond comparing
even the crumbs are enough
ample, sufficient to fill out hunger,
our longings, our needs
Here to feed the children, but the scraps
cast off and dropped for the dogs
able to nourish, to feed all the world
so was his gift, his lesson, his example
from him all are fed, the chosen ones
and all, to the ends of the earth
March 30, 2008
Mark 7:24-30
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/03/crumbs-are-enough.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 31,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Rose Petals
Dried and gathered,
pastel echoes of their blooms
baskets, bowls of rose petals
Beautiful memories
supple skin, fading fragrance
tokes of love shared, savored
gathered and save rose petals
Perhaps they will go as before
coating your path, our way
when we joined together
before our God
March 30, 2008
pastel echoes of their blooms
baskets, bowls of rose petals
Beautiful memories
supple skin, fading fragrance
tokes of love shared, savored
gathered and save rose petals
Perhaps they will go as before
coating your path, our way
when we joined together
before our God
March 30, 2008
Shoots of Green
Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths
green shorts up through
the peaty wet mulch,
the still-white snow of March;
the warming sun
drawing them out
up from their winter slumber
called from the earth;
they rise
March 30, 2008
green shorts up through
the peaty wet mulch,
the still-white snow of March;
the warming sun
drawing them out
up from their winter slumber
called from the earth;
they rise
March 30, 2008
Under the Melting Snow
Under the melting snow
bright wet white crystal of snow
dormant greens, bright colors
rising from the damp earth
yearning for the warming sun
Cast off the winter mantle
the frozen slumber
climb and bloom, bright colors
spring has come to the garden
rejoice in its return
March 30, 2008
bright wet white crystal of snow
dormant greens, bright colors
rising from the damp earth
yearning for the warming sun
Cast off the winter mantle
the frozen slumber
climb and bloom, bright colors
spring has come to the garden
rejoice in its return
March 30, 2008
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