Monday, November 09, 2015

if our vessels were perfect – v2

in some way I am thankful
that things are as they are
that we are in fact broken
that there are cracks
in our earthen lives

if our vessels were perfect
if there was no brokenness in us
we could hide the light
that Christ has put within us
we would think we don’t need Jesus

if our vessels were perfect
if there were no cracks in us
in the skin of our clay
if we were not broken
we could hide the light of Jesus

we need our imperfections
to be healed, to find wholeness
we need our cracks
for the light to shine through us
to share Christ with the world.

=============
November 9, 2015
smoothed by the waves
November 9, 2015
gathered from the surf
edited/ merged November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect – v2
November 9, 2015
we could hide the light ofJesus
November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect
November 8, 2015
tumbling in the surf
November 8, 2015
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Psalm 31:19-24
message: “A Safe Place”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
“Becoming Soft on the Outside”
Mystery Box – Tootsie Roll Pops
(hard on the outside, soft on the inside)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 8, 2015
&
edited November 10, 2015
even when we hide it – v2
November 5, 2015
a precious vessel of God’s love
November 4, 2015
in jars of clay
November 4, 2015
the light we follow
November 4, 2015
even when we hide it
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
edited November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden – v2
November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden
November 3, 2015
from their light
edited/new November 3, 2015
shines through the cracks
November 3, 2015
through the cracks in my broken clay
November 1, 2015
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:32-39
2 Corinthians 4:7
message: “Remember …” (including the naming of our saints)
and Communion Liturgy and Great Thanksgiving
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery Box – ballerina, teacup and saucer, apple
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 1, 2015


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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

we could hide the light of Jesus

if our vessels were perfect
if there were no cracks in us
in the skin of our clay
if we were not broken
we could hide the light of Jesus

we need our imperfections
to be healed, to find wholeness
we need our cracks
for the light to shine through us
to share Christ with the world.

=============
November 9, 2015
smoothed by the waves
November 9, 2015
gathered from the surf
edited/ merged November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect – v2
November 9, 2015
we could hide the light ofJesus
November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect
November 8, 2015
tumbling in the surf
November 8, 2015
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Psalm 31:19-24
message: “A Safe Place”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
“Becoming Soft on the Outside”
Mystery Box – Tootsie Roll Pops
(hard on the outside, soft on the inside)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 8, 2015
&
edited November 10, 2015
even when we hide it – v2
November 5, 2015
a precious vessel of God’s love
November 4, 2015
in jars of clay
November 4, 2015
the light we follow
November 4, 2015
even when we hide it
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
edited November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden – v2
November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden
November 3, 2015
from their light
edited/new November 3, 2015
shines through the cracks
November 3, 2015
through the cracks in my broken clay
November 1, 2015
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:32-39
2 Corinthians 4:7
message: “Remember …” (including the naming of our saints)
and Communion Liturgy and Great Thanksgiving
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery Box – ballerina, teacup and saucer, apple
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 1, 2015


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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

if our vessels were perfect

in some way I am thankful
that we are in fact broken
that there are cracks
in our earthen lives

if our vessels were perfect
if there was no brokenness in us
we could hide the light
that Christ has put within us

=============
November 9, 2015
smoothed by the waves
November 9, 2015
gathered from the surf
edited/ merged November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect – v2
November 9, 2015
we could hide the light ofJesus
November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect
November 8, 2015
tumbling in the surf
November 8, 2015
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Psalm 31:19-24
message: “A Safe Place”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
“Becoming Soft on the Outside”
Mystery Box – Tootsie Roll Pops
(hard on the outside, soft on the inside)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 8, 2015
&
edited November 10, 2015
even when we hide it – v2
November 5, 2015
a precious vessel of God’s love
November 4, 2015
in jars of clay
November 4, 2015
the light we follow
November 4, 2015
even when we hide it
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
edited November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden – v2
November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden
November 3, 2015
from their light
edited/new November 3, 2015
shines through the cracks
November 3, 2015
through the cracks in my broken clay
November 1, 2015
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:32-39
2 Corinthians 4:7
message: “Remember …” (including the naming of our saints)
and Communion Liturgy and Great Thanksgiving
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery Box – ballerina, teacup and saucer, apple
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 1, 2015


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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

smoothed by the waves

a lifelong process
the waves, the abrasion
the sharp edges being rounded
our brokenness transformed
into something of beauty
our lives, our struggle
smoothed by the waves
the grit of our living
our brokenness transformed
into something of beauty

=============
November 9, 2015
smoothed by the waves
November 9, 2015
gathered from the surf
edited/ merged November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect – v2
November 9, 2015
we could hide the light ofJesus
November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect
November 8, 2015
tumbling in the surf
November 8, 2015
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Psalm 31:19-24
message: “A Safe Place”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
“Becoming Soft on the Outside”
Mystery Box – Tootsie Roll Pops
(hard on the outside, soft on the inside)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 8, 2015
&
edited November 10, 2015
even when we hide it – v2
November 5, 2015
a precious vessel of God’s love
November 4, 2015
in jars of clay
November 4, 2015
the light we follow
November 4, 2015
even when we hide it
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
edited November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden – v2
November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden
November 3, 2015
from their light
edited/new November 3, 2015
shines through the cracks
November 3, 2015
through the cracks in my broken clay
November 1, 2015
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:32-39
2 Corinthians 4:7
message: “Remember …” (including the naming of our saints)
and Communion Liturgy and Great Thanksgiving
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery Box – ballerina, teacup and saucer, apple
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 1, 2015


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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

gathered from the surf

the gems we have become
through the wave action
the pounding of the surf
in the rocks and stones
and the grit of the sand
gathered from the surf
our struggles, our trials
our brokenness, healed,
through our life journeys

=============
November 9, 2015
smoothed by the waves
November 9, 2015
gathered from the surf
edited/ merged November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect – v2
November 9, 2015
we could hide the light ofJesus
November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect
November 8, 2015
tumbling in the surf
November 8, 2015
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Psalm 31:19-24
message: “A Safe Place”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
“Becoming Soft on the Outside”
Mystery Box – Tootsie Roll Pops
(hard on the outside, soft on the inside)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 8, 2015
&
edited November 10, 2015
even when we hide it – v2
November 5, 2015
a precious vessel of God’s love
November 4, 2015
in jars of clay
November 4, 2015
the light we follow
November 4, 2015
even when we hide it
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
edited November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden – v2
November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden
November 3, 2015
from their light
edited/new November 3, 2015
shines through the cracks
November 3, 2015
through the cracks in my broken clay
November 1, 2015
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:32-39
2 Corinthians 4:7
message: “Remember …” (including the naming of our saints)
and Communion Liturgy and Great Thanksgiving
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery Box – ballerina, teacup and saucer, apple
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 1, 2015


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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sunday, November 08, 2015

tumbling in the surf

our brokenness tossed
turning in the water
tumbling in the surf
our struggles, our journey
our broken edges softened
worn down in the struggle
transformed in the waters
in the journey of our lives

=============
November 9, 2015
smoothed by the waves
November 9, 2015
gathered from the surf
edited/ merged November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect – v2
November 9, 2015
we could hide the light ofJesus
November 9, 2015
if our vessels were perfect
November 8, 2015
tumbling in the surf
November 8, 2015
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)
Psalm 31:19-24
message: “A Safe Place”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
“Becoming Soft on the Outside”
Mystery Box – Tootsie Roll Pops
(hard on the outside, soft on the inside)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 8, 2015
&
edited November 10, 2015
even when we hide it – v2
November 5, 2015
a precious vessel of God’s love
November 4, 2015
in jars of clay
November 4, 2015
the light we follow
November 4, 2015
even when we hide it
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
edited November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden – v2
November 4, 2015
the light can’t be hidden
November 3, 2015
from their light
edited/new November 3, 2015
shines through the cracks
November 3, 2015
through the cracks in my broken clay
November 1, 2015
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:32-39
2 Corinthians 4:7
message: “Remember …” (including the naming of our saints)
and Communion Liturgy and Great Thanksgiving
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
Mystery Box – ballerina, teacup and saucer, apple
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 1, 2015


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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

An Apostle – v2

An Apostle called
sent forth by God
commissioned by Jesus;
Sent to the world
to bring them to Christ

An Apostle called
sent forth by God
to those who need Him;
The lost and the least
out in the world

An Apostle called
sent forth by God
to win many to Jesus;
To make Disciples, anointed
baptizing them in His name

=============
edited January 27, 2016
An Apostle – v4
(merging edits to original and version 3)
edited December 27, 2015
in the inner circle – v2
edited December 2, 2015
easily angered – v2
edited November 28, 2015
An Apostle – v3
(editing version 2)
edited November 8, 2015
An Apostle – v2
November 3, 2015
An Apostle
November 3, 2015
A Disciple
November 3, 2015
the first to proclaim
November 3, 2015
the first to preach
November 3, 2015
the first one
edited/ new November 3, 2015
seeing myself in him
November 3, 2015
easily angered
November 3, 2015
in the inner circle
November 3, 2015
a man of thunder
November 3, 2015
like we are
November 3, 2015
ashamed of his sin
November 3, 2015
lurching forward
November 3, 2015
a humble start
November 3, 2015
a nobody chosen
- first to proclaim Jesus as the Christ
Matthew 16:13 – 20
- in the inner circle – one of three at Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-13
- ashamed of his own sin before Jesus
Luke 5:6-8
– first to preach on Pentecost
Acts 2 and Acts 3
– first to proclaim to the Gentiles
Acts 10 and Acts 11
led by Kelly Curtis
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Fourth Friday of the month service at Mt. Heights Health Care Facility
October 30, 2015


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Restore me again – v12

Lord, I have fallen
I am mortally broken;
Lift me from my pit
my deep anguish;
Raise from the depths
from my struggles, my demons
from the depths I beg You, Lord

Restore me again
I have stumbled, badly,
not trusting You enough
listening to the wind;
Lift me, I am falling, sinking,
beneath the wave, save me, Lord;
Save me, I am bound for the grave

------
edited November 8, 2015
Restore me again – v12

(editing original again)
edited February 28, 2015
Restore me again – v11
(editing version 3)
edited January 27, 2015
Restore me again – v10
edited January 14, 2015
Restore me again – v9
(editing original again)
edited December 9, 2014
Restore me again – v8
(editing original again)
edited October 16, 2014
Restore me again – v7
(editing original again)
Edited April 22, 2014
Restore me again – v6
(editing original again)
Edited September 20, 2013
Restore me again – v5
(editing original again)
Edited September 13, 2013
Restore me again – v4
(editing original again)
August 29, 2013
Restore me again – v3
(editing original again)
Edited July 30, 2013
“Restore me again – v2”
July 24, 2013
Restore me again
Psalm 85:4-7
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
July 22, 2013 to July 28, 2013
“Relationship with the Living God”
by Patricia Wilson
for July 24, 2013
read July 24, 2013
&
Matthew 14:30
Matthew 14:22-33
&
Psalm 85:1-3
Psalm 85:1-13
Psalm 85
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
July 22, 2013 to July 28, 2013
“Relationship with the Living God”
by Patricia Wilson
for July 23, 2013
read July 23, 2013

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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,040+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Proclaiming this text now – v6

Our age is not unlike theirs
when Christ walked the earth;
we must think about His words and
His actions that day

When Christ cleansed the Temple
when the tables we overturned;
we should be proclaiming that text
now, out in our world

Injustice, imbalance
is a shaming of our power;
of the concentration of wealth
in the tipping of this hour

More in the world are hurting
by the selfishness of our choices;
we sit idly by, in comfort,
instead of rising with Christ’s anger

Crying out, “No More”,
a biblical mandate, to justice;
to open doors to the Temple
to find peace within the Christ

=====
edited November 8, 2015
Proclaiming this text now – v6

(editing version 5)
edited April 7, 2015
Proclaiming this text now – v5
(editing original again)
edited January 12, 2015
Proclaiming this text now – v4
(editing original again)
Edited December 21, 2013
Proclaiming this text now – v3
Edited December 1, 2013
Proclaiming this text now – v2
June 10, 2012
Proclaiming this text now
Mark 11:15-19
Jesus cleansing the Temple
sermon by Ziegler Award winner,
Reverend Gary Richards
speaking of the Methodist Movement as a
Resistance Movement,
something that made some people very uncomfortable,
including one long-time Methodist who probably was thinking of John Wesley’s words, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
Annual Conference
New England United Methodist Church
led by Bishop Peter Weaver
&
Mark 2:22
presentation by NEUMC delegates
to General Conference 2012
Annual Conference
New England United Methodist Church
led by Bishop Peter Weaver
June 6, 2012 to June 9, 2012

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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,040+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.