Saturday, May 10, 2008

Merely Gloves

The spirit the actor, we the vessels
the skin of our flesh, the gloves of the spirit
touching lives, changing hearts
offering hope, all to God’s glory
Merely the gloves holding our neighbors
the spirit moving in us
to help change the world


----------------
edited September 26, 2015
Gloves of the Spirit – v6
(editing version 3)
Edited December 14, 2013
“Gloves of the Spirit – v5”
(editing version 2)
Edited August 13, 2013
“Gloves of the Spirit – v4”
Edited July 31, 2013
“Gloves of the Spirit – v3”
edited July 14, 2012
“Gloves of the Spirit – v2”
July 24, 2010
“Gloves of the Spirit
Edited August 19, 2013
“to be cellophane vessels – v4”
Edited August 17, 2013
“gauze of the Spirit – v2”
Worship Service in the Park – 8/11/2013
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
and sermon “There Is Hope In Community”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 11, 2013
&
new poem, August 17, 2013
“gauze of the Spirit”
Edited August 16, 2013
“to be cellophane vessels – v3”
Edited August 16, 2013
“to be cellophane vessels – v2”
new poem, August 16, 2013
“to be cellophane vessels”
Edited August 13, 2013
“Gloves of the Spirit – v4”
Edited July 31, 2013
“Gloves of the Spirit – v3”
edited July 24, 2012
changed to “Crystal Vessels”
edited July 14, 2012
changed to “Crystal Vases”
edited July 14, 2012
“Bags of Crystal”
edited July 14, 2012
“Cellophane Bags”
edited July 14, 2012
“Gloves of the Spirit – v2”
July 24, 2010
“Gloves of the Spirit
Colossians 2:6-19 (The Message)
Luke 11:9-11 (NLT)
Psalm 100:1-3 (NLT) (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing”
and sermon, “Buyer Beware”

by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 25, 2010
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
&
and quote attributed to Corrie ten Bloom,
“I have a glove here in my hand.  The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things.  True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts.  We are gloves.  It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job.  We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”
&
edited May 23, 2014
from the Spirit – v2
May 23, 2014
from the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-25
“Not by My Power”
devotion by Kay Robertson
for May 23, 2014
read May 23, 2014
Duck Commander Daily Devotional
compiled by Alan Robertson
&
Edited September 1, 2012
“Merely Gloves – v2”
May 21, 2010
Let me but skin – edited
as read at the House of Purpose Coffee House
May 21, 2010
Hillsboro, NH
&
February 14, 2009
Let me be but skin
written after posting the Merely Gloves to Faithwriters site
February 21, 2009
Nothing By Myself
on posting Merely Gloves and getting feedback
May 10, 2008
Merely Gloves
Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost
and quote attributed to Corrie ten Bloom,
“I have a glove here in my hand.  The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things.  True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts.  We are gloves.  It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job.  We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.


Christ, Faith, God, grace, hope, love, Methodist, United Methodist Church, Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Colossians 2, Luke 11, Psalm 100, disciples, sheep,

Thursday, May 08, 2008

The Message of Creation

In every part of creation,
the message to those who would hear
the love of the creator, the means of grace
swirling all around us,
as if we were standing inside
a cotton candy maker
the world, the whole of creation
singing a song of praise for
the God who made us all
conjured from the nothingness
and bound together
ordered and wondrous
beyond our imaginations
A message of love shared each day,
each moment of life
spoken without mouths
voices in unison speaking
to those who would hear



-----------------
edited July 7, 2018
The Message of Creation – v3

(editing original)
edited July 7, 2018
The Context of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Sounds of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
The Speed of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Creatures of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Smells of Creation – v3

edited July 7, 2018
Tastes of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Textures of Creation – v2

edited June 26, 2014
The Message of Creation – v2
May 8, 2008
The Message of Creation
Psalm 19:1-4
Walk to Emmaus, Means of Grace
and Upper Room devotional
&
Finished July 26, 2007 22:25
Textures of Creation
Started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Started 7/8/07, added to 7/9/07 1:01AM
The Context of Creation
Genesis 1
&
edited August 3, 2014
Smells of Creation – v2
finished August 1, 2007 12:12
Smells of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 22:00
Tastes of Creation
Started July 11
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 21:40
Creatures of Creation
began draft June 2, 2007, update June 4, 2007, July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 8:03
The Speed of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 7:55
Sounds of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

===============
calling, Christ, Emmaus, God, God’s purpose, grace, joy, justifying, love, Luke 24, Luke 24:13-35, prevenient, Psalm 19, Psalm 23, sanctifying, servant, umc, United Methodist, Walk to Emmaus, witness,

#calling #Christ #Emmaus #God #Godspurpose #grace #joy #justifying #love #Luke24 #prevenient #Psalm19 #Psalm23 #sanctifying #servant #umc #UnitedMethodist #WalktoEmmaus #witness

====================
Christ, creation, creator, earth, Faith, God, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, hope, love, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, purpose, savior, witness, world,

#Christ #creation #creator #earth #Faith #God #gospel #grace #HolySpirit #hope #love #Methodist #PoetryWhereYouLive #purpose #savior #witness #world #Genesis1 #life #struggle #journey #void #Word #life #power #worship #holy #Lord

======================
branches, child, creation, creator, Faith, forest, Genesis 1, God, hope, loons, Methodist, mother, Nature, NEUMC, Poetry Where You Live, sound, summer, wind, wings,

#branches #child #creation #creator #Faith #forest #Genesis1 #God #hope #loons #Methodist #mother #Nature #NEUMC #PoetryWhereYouLive #sound #summer #wind #wings #sounds #cry #prayer #birth #song #crash #awe #noise #thunder #worship

=================
birds, bread, cicada, creation, creator, dawn, earth, Faith, Genesis 1, God, hawk, heart, human, life, light, Methodist, Nature, rainbow, sing, sound,

#speed #birds #bread #cicada #creation #creator #dawn #earth #Faith #Genesis 1 #God #hawk #heart #human #life #light #Methodist #Nature #rainbow #sing #sound #fast #slow #heartbeat #blinkofaneye #eternity #eons #epochs

=======================
apple, bread, breath, dust, Faith, forest, fruit, garden, Genesis 1, God, grass, lilacs, lilies, lily of the valley, Nature, ocean, orange, rose, shower, snow,

#smells #creation #apple #bread #breath #dust #Faith #forest #fruit #garden #Genesis1 #God #grass #lilacs #lilies #lilyofthevalley #Nature #ocean #orange #rose #shower #snow #creator #sight  #touch #senses #taste #touch

==========================
birds, brown, butterflies, creation, creator, deer, Faith, forest, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hawk, love, Methodist, Nature, sheep, shepherd, starfish, turkeys,

#creatures #created #birds #brown #butterflies #creation #creator #deer #Faith #forest #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hawk #love #Methodist #Nature #sheep #shepherd #starfish #turkeys #reptile #amphibian #mammal #microbe #onecelled

==========================
bread, Communion, creation, creator, earth, Faith, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hope, maple trees, Methodist, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sin, taste,

#bread #Communion #creation #creator #earth #Faith #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hope #mapletrees #Methodist #Nature #PoetryWhereYouLive #sin #taste #sweet #sour #salt #bitter #luscious #nectar #meat

========================
creation, creator, Faith, flowers, fruit, Genesis 1, God, grass, ice, Methodist, Nature, ocean, rock, rose, sea glass, shepherd, stone, texture, touch, water,

#creation #creator #Faith #flowers #fruit #Genesis1 #God #grass #ice #Christ #Spirit #Nature #ocean #rock #rose #seaglass #shepherd #stone #texture #touch #water #senses #smells #taste #sight #seeing #feeling #rough #smooth #sharp

Speaking without Mouths

The sunset shouted the other night
the glory of God
the lilies of the valley whispered this morning
the glory of God
the pollen on the breeze mused yesterday
the glory of God
the stars chirped endlessly
the glory of God
the spring proclaims each year
the glory of God
the surf roars rhythmically
the glory of God
All of creation, reveals
speaking without mouths,
the glory of God

May 8, 2008
Psalm 19:1-4
and Upper Room devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=5&day=8&year=2008&x=107&y=6

The Words of Creation

God of creation, speak your words
to me through your world
let me hear your voice in the heavens
in the earth, the seas, in all that dwell,
all that live, all that exist within your creation
Let me hear the glory of you,
shouted by the mountains,
sung by the wind,
preached by the plants,
written by the animals,
witnessed to by the grains of sand
proclaimed by every star in the sky,
beyond my vision, my ability to perceive
Share your love in the voice of creation
for all to see, to know your grace
and feel your loving presence

-----------------
edited July 7, 2018
The Words of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
The Message of Creation – v3

(editing original)
edited July 7, 2018
The Context of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Sounds of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
The Speed of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Creatures of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Smells of Creation – v3

edited July 7, 2018
Tastes of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Textures of Creation – v2

&
May 8, 2008
The Words of Creation
Psalm 19:1-4
and Upper Room devotional
&
edited June 26, 2014
The Message of Creation – v2
May 8, 2008
The Message of Creation
Psalm 19:1-4
Walk to Emmaus, Means of Grace
and Upper Room devotional
&
Finished July 26, 2007 22:25
Textures of Creation
Started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Started 7/8/07, added to 7/9/07 1:01AM
The Context of Creation
Genesis 1
&
edited August 3, 2014
Smells of Creation – v2
finished August 1, 2007 12:12
Smells of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 22:00
Tastes of Creation
Started July 11
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 21:40
Creatures of Creation
began draft June 2, 2007, update June 4, 2007, July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 8:03
The Speed of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 7:55
Sounds of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

===============
calling, Christ, Emmaus, God, God’s purpose, grace, joy, justifying, love, Luke 24, Luke 24:13-35, prevenient, Psalm 19, Psalm 23, sanctifying, servant, umc, United Methodist, Walk to Emmaus, witness,

#calling #Christ #Emmaus #God #Godspurpose #grace #joy #justifying #love #Luke24 #prevenient #Psalm19 #Psalm23 #sanctifying #servant #umc #UnitedMethodist #WalktoEmmaus #witness #salvation #resurrection #life #eternal #communion

====================
Christ, creation, creator, earth, Faith, God, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, hope, love, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, purpose, savior, witness, world,

#Christ #creation #creator #earth #Faith #God #gospel #grace #HolySpirit #hope #love #Methodist #PoetryWhereYouLive #purpose #savior #witness #world #Genesis1 #life #struggle #journey #void #Word #life #power #worship #holy #Lord

======================
branches, child, creation, creator, Faith, forest, Genesis 1, God, hope, loons, Methodist, mother, Nature, NEUMC, Poetry Where You Live, sound, summer, wind, wings,

#branches #child #creation #creator #Faith #forest #Genesis1 #God #hope #loons #Methodist #mother #Nature #NEUMC #PoetryWhereYouLive #sound #summer #wind #wings #sounds #cry #prayer #birth #song #crash #awe #noise #thunder #worship

=================
birds, bread, cicada, creation, creator, dawn, earth, Faith, Genesis 1, God, hawk, heart, human, life, light, Methodist, Nature, rainbow, sing, sound,

#speed #birds #bread #cicada #creation #creator #dawn #earth #Faith #Genesis 1 #God #hawk #heart #human #life #light #Methodist #Nature #rainbow #sing #sound #fast #slow #heartbeat #blinkofaneye #eternity #eons #epochs

=======================
apple, bread, breath, dust, Faith, forest, fruit, garden, Genesis 1, God, grass, lilacs, lilies, lily of the valley, Nature, ocean, orange, rose, shower, snow,

#smells #creation #apple #bread #breath #dust #Faith #forest #fruit #garden #Genesis1 #God #grass #lilacs #lilies #lilyofthevalley #Nature #ocean #orange #rose #shower #snow #creator #sight  #touch #senses #taste #touch

==========================
birds, brown, butterflies, creation, creator, deer, Faith, forest, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hawk, love, Methodist, Nature, sheep, shepherd, starfish, turkeys,

#creatures #created #birds #brown #butterflies #creation #creator #deer #Faith #forest #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hawk #love #Methodist #Nature #sheep #shepherd #starfish #turkeys #reptile #amphibian #mammal #microbe #onecelled

==========================
bread, Communion, creation, creator, earth, Faith, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hope, maple trees, Methodist, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sin, taste,

#bread #Communion #creation #creator #earth #Faith #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hope #mapletrees #Methodist #Nature #PoetryWhereYouLive #sin #taste #sweet #sour #salt #bitter #luscious #nectar #meat

========================
creation, creator, Faith, flowers, fruit, Genesis 1, God, grass, ice, Methodist, Nature, ocean, rock, rose, sea glass, shepherd, stone, texture, touch, water,

#creation #creator #Faith #flowers #fruit #Genesis1 #God #grass #ice #Christ #Spirit #Nature #ocean #rock #rose #seaglass #shepherd #stone #texture #touch #water #senses #smells #taste #sight #seeing #feeling #rough #smooth #sharp

The Voice of Creation

The eye and the ear, all the senses
hear the voice of creation
the glory of God revealed,
speaking where mouths do not exist
the word of God written in everything,
every thing on the earth, in the seas,
in the heavens above
Speaking of the creator,
of the awesome power
the intricate precision
the boundless beauty
proclaiming the glory of God
revealed in his handiwork

-----------------  
edited July 7, 2018
The Voice of Creation – v3

edited July 7, 2018
The Size of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
The Words of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
The Message of Creation – v3

(editing original)
edited July 7, 2018
The Context of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Sounds of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
The Speed of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Creatures of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Smells of Creation – v3

edited July 7, 2018
Tastes of Creation – v2

edited July 7, 2018
Textures of Creation – v2

&
edited July 11, 2015
The Voice of Creation – v2
May 8, 2008
The Voice of Creation
Psalm 19:1-4
and Upper Room devotional
&
July 11, 2007 22:54
The Size of Creation
began notes June 2, 2007
Genesis 1
&
May 8, 2008
The Words of Creation
Psalm 19:1-4
and Upper Room devotional
&
edited June 26, 2014
The Message of Creation – v2
May 8, 2008
The Message of Creation
Psalm 19:1-4
Walk to Emmaus, Means of Grace
and Upper Room devotional
&
Finished July 26, 2007 22:25
Textures of Creation
Started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Started 7/8/07, added to 7/9/07 1:01AM
The Context of Creation
Genesis 1
&
edited August 3, 2014
Smells of Creation – v2
finished August 1, 2007 12:12
Smells of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 22:00
Tastes of Creation
Started July 11
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 21:40
Creatures of Creation
began draft June 2, 2007, update June 4, 2007, July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 8:03
The Speed of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 7:55
Sounds of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

===============
calling, Christ, Emmaus, God, God’s purpose, grace, joy, justifying, love, Luke 24, Luke 24:13-35, prevenient, Psalm 19, Psalm 23, sanctifying, servant, umc, United Methodist, Walk to Emmaus, witness,

#calling #Christ #Emmaus #God #Godspurpose #grace #joy #justifying #love #Luke24 #prevenient #Psalm19 #Psalm23 #sanctifying #servant #umc #UnitedMethodist #WalktoEmmaus #witness #salvation #resurrection #life #eternal #communion

====================
Christ, creation, creator, earth, Faith, God, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, hope, love, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, purpose, savior, witness, world,

#Christ #creation #creator #earth #Faith #God #gospel #grace #HolySpirit #hope #love #Methodist #PoetryWhereYouLive #purpose #savior #witness #world #Genesis1 #life #struggle #journey #void #Word #life #power #worship #holy #Lord

======================
branches, child, creation, creator, Faith, forest, Genesis 1, God, hope, loons, Methodist, mother, Nature, NEUMC, Poetry Where You Live, sound, summer, wind, wings,

#branches #child #creation #creator #Faith #forest #Genesis1 #God #hope #loons #Methodist #mother #Nature #NEUMC #PoetryWhereYouLive #sound #summer #wind #wings #sounds #cry #prayer #birth #song #crash #awe #noise #thunder #worship

=================
birds, bread, cicada, creation, creator, dawn, earth, Faith, Genesis 1, God, hawk, heart, human, life, light, Methodist, Nature, rainbow, sing, sound,

#speed #birds #bread #cicada #creation #creator #dawn #earth #Faith #Genesis 1 #God #hawk #heart #human #life #light #Methodist #Nature #rainbow #sing #sound #fast #slow #heartbeat #blinkofaneye #eternity #eons #epochs

=======================
apple, bread, breath, dust, Faith, forest, fruit, garden, Genesis 1, God, grass, lilacs, lilies, lily of the valley, Nature, ocean, orange, rose, shower, snow,

#smells #creation #apple #bread #breath #dust #Faith #forest #fruit #garden #Genesis1 #God #grass #lilacs #lilies #lilyofthevalley #Nature #ocean #orange #rose #shower #snow #creator #sight  #touch #senses #taste #touch

==========================
birds, brown, butterflies, creation, creator, deer, Faith, forest, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hawk, love, Methodist, Nature, sheep, shepherd, starfish, turkeys,

#creatures #created #birds #brown #butterflies #creation #creator #deer #Faith #forest #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hawk #love #Methodist #Nature #sheep #shepherd #starfish #turkeys #reptile #amphibian #mammal #microbe #onecelled

==========================
bread, Communion, creation, creator, earth, Faith, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hope, maple trees, Methodist, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sin, taste,

#bread #Communion #creation #creator #earth #Faith #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hope #mapletrees #Methodist #Nature #PoetryWhereYouLive #sin #taste #sweet #sour #salt #bitter #luscious #nectar #meat

========================
creation, creator, Faith, flowers, fruit, Genesis 1, God, grass, ice, Methodist, Nature, ocean, rock, rose, sea glass, shepherd, stone, texture, touch, water,

#creation #creator #Faith #flowers #fruit #Genesis1 #God #grass #ice #Christ #Spirit #Nature #ocean #rock #rose #seaglass #shepherd #stone #texture #touch #water #senses #smells #taste #sight #seeing #feeling #rough #smooth #sharp



A Voice out of the Firmament

Without mouths to speak
the heavens, the earth, creation speaks
of the majesty of the creator, the wonders
beyond human comprehensive
the glory of God,
told in every part of creation
If a picture speaks a thousand world
the whole of creation speaks
innumerable words,
endless new and wonderful words
a voice cries out of the firmament
out of every creature and feature
wondrous to behold
the heavens declare and the earth replies
the glory of God

May 8, 2008
Psalm 19:1-4
and Upper Room devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=5&day=8&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Different Gifts

Spiritual gifts, given to each
according to the spirit, the one same spirit
descending like tongues of fire,
on to each given
gifts to share, to use
all parts of the body, all essential
gifts, more than talents,
members of the body of Christ
working together
to understand, at least in part,
the mystery of our faith
the call to share, to the ends of the earth
the gift of the savior, the love of God

May 8, 2008
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost
Walk to Emmaus, Body of Christ
and Alive Now daily devotionals

Before Their Fragrance

before their fragrance bloomed
I lingered under the lilac bush
slowing my walk home from school
to yearn for their scent
to see if they sweet smell
would fall upon me
Not yet, the damp air
did not release them yet
Later today, as the sun reappears
or tomorrow no doubt
their fragrance will come into bloom

May 8, 2008

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

As Your Breathing Slowed

I remember those last few moments
as your breathing slowed, no longer labored
she on the side of your bed, stroking your hair
her gentle caresses of your now calm brow
drifting to eternity, your girl beside you
letting you know it was okay to go
I remember your last breath, her gasp
as you became still, at peace, in your rest
Did you watch over us, as we sat there
she still beside you, quieter now,
silent rising and falling now of her chest
as she cried for herself now, without you
who she relied on so much
But she was beside you, feeling you near her
a comfort in being with you still
in those final moments with you

May 7, 2008

Using Our Gifts – v2

Spend time in the vineyard, the field,
the dark places of this world, the orchard, the valley,
using our gifts, to be messengers, faithful disciples,
to be our neighbor’s brother, sister, to be Christ’s hands and feet
to be the light in the world, His living light
the light to the nations in our time,
Now, in our place, to be the word,
the living word, real and meaningful
the hands of the savior, the loving hands of God,
bringing hope, healing, lifting,
comforting our neighbors, all of them,
around the planet, not just in our backyard
lending a hand, a kind word, good works,
out of love, gratitude for the grace, the blessings on us
Sharing the message of redemption, of saving grace
using the gifts we have been given, all of them
to each are given, all are important
the work of the savior, the church,
of spreading the good news
of God’s love, desire for relationship, salvation
to all the nations, all the world

January 30, 2008,
edits May 7, 2008

Poetry Where You Live

There is poetry where you live
in the real-time, living of our lives
little bits of grace, of beauty, of magic
moments, images, sensory collisions
stopping to notice them,
to really see them,
the hula skirt oak blossoms,
after they have shed their pollen,
the snow of parmesan cheese on my spaghetti,
the wedding bouquet of nascent lilacs
the laugh of our girls, the smile of my wife
when I come in the door
the tied-dyed sunset of the other night
trying to think of the cascade of color
the cacophony of the birds in the bushes out front
the story of a gift of grace on the radio
Slow down, look around, and
see the poetry where you live too

May 7, 2008

Yellow Pepper

Like canary dandruff,
no, make that yellow pepper,
freshly ground and served at your table
a dust, large grained, adorning
the body of her maroon car
sitting patiently under the oak blooms
motionless while she studies
for that last final
The breeze fluttering the oak flowers
a faint swirl of pollen
drifting downward

May 7, 2008

Singing to Her

Coming down to the kitchen
singing to her,
happy birthday to my beautiful wife
another year to share with her
to wonder at the year she has seen
and the one to come
So many changes,
milestones, thresholds crossed
so much more ahead, growing together
Another year begun in this walk we share
Oh happy birthday sweetheart
may there be endless more

May 7, 2008

Burgundy Blooms

Looking up, hard to differentiate
a saturation of burgundy blooms
the crab apple rich color
the petals, the stamen, the pistil
all shade of burgundy
overwhelming the senses
obscuring the leaves
the sky beyond
burgundy blooms
gracing the morning



May 7, 2008
at Beech Street School

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.

How Long

Walking home,
on Ruth’s birthday,
after dropping the girls at school
my jacket open, day warming
my hands in the pockets, akimbo
she slid beside me,
knitting her arm with mine
at the corner, the crossing guard
She asked, how long have you been married
instinctively, she said “forever” and I “always”
We each know our history, life before
But forever, always are true as well
four years on, almost, since we met
a lifetime ago, those days before
How long will you be holding hands
oh that is a question, smiling
we answered together,
we hope forever, always

May 7, 2008

God’s Guiding Hand

If we stop and notice, we will see
not just the bits of grace put in our path
God’s guiding hand, ready to lead us
to bring us through our trials, our doubts
the challenges we each face in life
God will be there, always
when we need him,
when we think we don’t
ready to bring us to himself
warm embrace, endless love
ready to guide us through life
with a loving hand
still small voice

May 7, 2008
God’s Guiding Hand


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 38,170+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.


Tuesday, May 06, 2008

In the Silence

In the silence of the night
you beside me, the sound of your breathing
quiet throughout the house
nighttime fallen, my mind adrift
thinking of my childhood,
little glimpses, flashes of memory
of the feel of the thoughts,
the smells of the images,
the look of the fragments
of the beginnings of my life
little pieces of my past
a rapid fire cacophony
in the silence last night

May 6, 2008

closeness to god

it was there, in that room, in the sharing
of the good news, my brothers around me
feeling a closeness to God
more real than the sanctuary, than
the stillness of the night under the open sky
more than in the solitude of a canoe on a calm lake
late at night, all alone with my thoughts
it was there, sharing with my brothers
that I have felt closest to God
my personal savior, my guide,
my shepherd, my protector

May 6, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Singing in Babylon

Sing of the king, the love of our God
beside us, with us, watching over us
in our captivity, or trials, our struggles in life
He is with us
Sing of Zion,
of his steadfast love,
sing from the mountaintops,
his name forever

May 6, 2008
Singing in Bablyon
Psalm 137:1-4
and Upper Room devotional

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 38,280+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In Their Rhododendron Jungle

Between the wall of the porch
the lawn by the driveway
a rhododendron jungle
thick stalks a vine,
intricately wound, woven
interconnected, thick
a moist shaded place
under the summer sun
walking over, through
adventures in play
a great place for hiking
in the dense rainforest
the Amazon jungle
my cousins and me
in our grandparents’ yard

May 6, 2008

Monday, May 05, 2008

A Treasured Trivet


I remember well
making that old little trivet
popsicle sticks, real ones
not craft sticks made for that purpose
these still were stained with
the red of cherry
little bits of porcelain tiles
mesh backing to pull apart
so the glue would stick
a cross-hatch pattern
with a bible verse added
A simple trivet, made in
vacation bible school
thirty-five years ago
still in use,
in my mother’s kitchen

May 5, 2008

Scraps of Memories

Little bits of memories,
most over forty years old
bouncing up against one another
spilling into my present consciousness
a bit of this and a measure of that
places in my backyard, the smell of the kitchen
the way the stairs to the upstairs opened
to block the way to the living room
the roots from the neighbor’s
weeping willow, yellow, whips to snack
the roots under the liner of our above ground pool
blue, pale blue vinyl slide against my foot
the basement, cool and damp
grabbing my bike, head down to the river
up the dirt road to the raspberry bramble
the arborvitae bush, the jack in the pulpit
below the yew bushes out front, bright red berries
maple in the front yard, hydrangea bush
in the corner of the flower, the vegetable garden
the large stand of lilac, the dogwood,
with the hens and chickens below
all part of the world I knew
about eight or ten
falling out of my memories
onto these lines

May 5, 2008

An Immaculate Appointment

For a matter of moments,
an immaculate appointment
appearing out of nowhere
no beginning, just is
where she was going without
where she had been
the future without the past
For a fleeting moment two appointments
both in play, until the update on the screen
a from for the to, a beginning for the end
cleaner that way,
connectionally speaking that is




May 5, 2008
of the information on the NE Conference
appointment changes page this morning,
when Ruth’s new appointment was listed (the to)
but her current appointment (the from)
was not listed at all.
http://www.neumc.org/appointment_changes.asp?sortorder=-5


by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

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.

In Their Own Languages

An endless number of languages
Galileans empowered,
given a gift of voice
an ability to speak
to tell Christ’s story
Sharing the Messiah’s message
of hope, of God’s love
to the whole world

May 5, 2008
Acts 2:1-12
Pentecost



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In Many Tongues

They were given voice
in many tongues
able to speak, to share
to proclaim the good news
the father glorified
by the ministry of the children
the sheep of the shepherd’s flock
those commissioned by the son
emboldened by the spirit

May 5, 2008
Acts 2:1-12
Pentecost