Lighthouses on shore
beacons of light shining out
love guiding us home
January 12, 2008
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Missionaries of the Light
Not merely lights to the nation,
stationary, in the temple,
not merely examples of righteousness,
of piety, or rightness with God
in worship, in clean living
Emissaries of the Lord,
who died and rose for us,
who admonished us
to go out into the world,
being the light to the nations
out there in the darkness
actively bringing the light
to the last, the lost, the least,
the prisons, the homeless,
those seeking his grace
Go into the world
missionaries of the light
of the light of the world
the hope for all mankind
rising out of the darkness
January 12, 2008
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
stationary, in the temple,
not merely examples of righteousness,
of piety, or rightness with God
in worship, in clean living
Emissaries of the Lord,
who died and rose for us,
who admonished us
to go out into the world,
being the light to the nations
out there in the darkness
actively bringing the light
to the last, the lost, the least,
the prisons, the homeless,
those seeking his grace
Go into the world
missionaries of the light
of the light of the world
the hope for all mankind
rising out of the darkness
January 12, 2008
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
Search Lights
Beacons, projecting out into the storm
not staying close to shore,
seeking to help, to comfort, to light the way
so are we to be for our neighbors, all our neighbors,
to follow the call of the savior, the Great Commission
to project, to serve, to be missionaries
to go out into the darkness
out into the world around us
to be ambassadors, emissaries, disciples
of the one who came before us;
who walked the earth, who ministered
while he lived in the holy lands
while he walked among the Jews, the Gentiles,
bringing forth the coming of the kingdom,
the way of grace, the healing of the nations
through his life, death, through his rising
a light rising high into the heavens
seeking all who would follow,
all who would submit, commit
bend to the will of the father,
find the narrow road home
through the dark storms
follow the shaft of light
from the beacon, the way
that we all carry, project
out into the world
==============
edited January 14, 2018
Search Lights – v2
January 12, 2008
Search Lights
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
-----
Lighthouses
Not just a light for the nations,
not just being a light
the Light shining in the world,
in the darkness.
Lighthouses, beacons,
keeping all safe,
away from the shoals,
the rocks, the hidden dangers
dangers hidden in the fog,
the clutter of daily life.
Leading those out on the seas
safely to shore
to a sheltered harbor
home in the arms of our Lord
January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in The Message,
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
--
A Light to the Nations
Clarity in the chaos
example of love, of faith,
clear, clean truth
so He was; so must we be
as his brothers, his sisters
His disciples, followers in the world
An example, a light in the darkness
a message of hope, of love,
to the captives, the prisoners
those lost in spirit
lost in the darkness of the world
January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in the
New Revised Standard Version,
contrasting to the translation in The Message
(see “Lighthouses”)
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 45,960 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
God, Christ, Spirit, Faith, grace, life, light, love, Pastor Ruth
L. Foss, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, savior, hope,
joy,
#God
#Christ #Spirit #Faith #grace #life #light #love #poem #poetry #savior
Wheat and Weeds – haiku
sown together here
here on the earth; fertile ground
separate – harvest
January 12, 2008
Matthew 13:24-30
here on the earth; fertile ground
separate – harvest
January 12, 2008
Matthew 13:24-30
Rejoicing in our Hearts
There is rejoicing in our hearts this day
for the loving response of our Creator
our Sustainer through life's trials
For the healing, the recovery,
the pathway out of the deep woods
for prayer and fellowship, support and comfort
for the answer to our prayers
across the miles, for His grace
to land on us like a dove
to hold us close and carry us
in the hardest moments of our lives
for the continuing presence and care
He alone offers us each day
and for the wondrous miracles
only He can achieve
We give you thanks, Oh Lord;
This day and always
January 12, 2008
on the good news and answers to prayers
for the healing of my cousin, Allan Foss
for the loving response of our Creator
our Sustainer through life's trials
For the healing, the recovery,
the pathway out of the deep woods
for prayer and fellowship, support and comfort
for the answer to our prayers
across the miles, for His grace
to land on us like a dove
to hold us close and carry us
in the hardest moments of our lives
for the continuing presence and care
He alone offers us each day
and for the wondrous miracles
only He can achieve
We give you thanks, Oh Lord;
This day and always
January 12, 2008
on the good news and answers to prayers
for the healing of my cousin, Allan Foss
A Massacre – v2
It was a slaughter
all those of an age
all under two years old
put to death
to assuage the fears of the king
to rest his troubled mind
to give him peace
from a future foretold in scripture
for the people of the book
the nation of covenant
the people of the word
He was ready
to follow the model of Pharaoh
and kill the children
to save him from the king
born in the manger
For he couldn’t have a new king
a king of the prophesy,
not on his watch, in his time
He who was a pawn, a marionette, a puppet
a pawn of Rome, holding power
from afar, not by the grace, the covenant
the legacy, progeny of David,
the rightful line, as promised by God,
anointed by the prophets
A new king, emergent, fulfilling the law
the prophets, terrifying for the blasphemers,
the imposters, the usurpers
of the ordained rulers
of the covenant people
How far he would go
to subjugate his people
for a little longer in power
Second stanza added January 12, 2008
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
all those of an age
all under two years old
put to death
to assuage the fears of the king
to rest his troubled mind
to give him peace
from a future foretold in scripture
for the people of the book
the nation of covenant
the people of the word
He was ready
to follow the model of Pharaoh
and kill the children
to save him from the king
born in the manger
For he couldn’t have a new king
a king of the prophesy,
not on his watch, in his time
He who was a pawn, a marionette, a puppet
a pawn of Rome, holding power
from afar, not by the grace, the covenant
the legacy, progeny of David,
the rightful line, as promised by God,
anointed by the prophets
A new king, emergent, fulfilling the law
the prophets, terrifying for the blasphemers,
the imposters, the usurpers
of the ordained rulers
of the covenant people
How far he would go
to subjugate his people
for a little longer in power
Second stanza added January 12, 2008
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
Friday, January 11, 2008
Servant – haiku
Giving out of love
humbling himself for us -
sacrifice of love
January 11, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9
humbling himself for us -
sacrifice of love
January 11, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9
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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
2,000 poems
The last poem marks 2,000 poems written and posted here. Thank you God for this gift and this opportunity to share Your Good News!
Baptism – haiku - 3
John in the water
humbly he waited on him
fulfill the scripture; heal us!
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
humbly he waited on him
fulfill the scripture; heal us!
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Baptism – haiku - 2
Descend like a dove
light upon my shoulder too
give me strength Lord
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
light upon my shoulder too
give me strength Lord
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Baptism – haiku - 1
up from the water
Oh, arise my blessed son
you have work to do
Oh, arise my blessed son
you have work to do
edited July 16, 2019
Baptism – haiku – 1 – v2
January 11, 2008
Baptism – haiku – 1
Matthew 3:13-17
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted
by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All
rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 50,740+ of my poems
at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
baptism, creator, Faith, God, gospel, haiku, hope, Matthew
3, ministry, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, water, work, Writing Poetry,
#baptism #creator #Faith #God #gospel #haiku #hope #Matthew3
#ministry #poem #poetry #water #work #WritingPoetry
On the Riverbank
To be a passerby, a witness, a disciple of John
on that day, that wondrous day
when the babe, the carpenter
was baptized by the one crying in the wilderness
when the one for whom he proclaimed the coming
was anointed king, the blessed one
blessed by God, the spirit descending like a dove
To witness the holy moment
to see the sky part, the heavens open
to see the spirit fall upon him
Lift him up out of the water
out of the humanness, to wrap around him
to anoint and grace him,
to steel him for the journey,
the tempting, the trials,
the ministry to come
Oh to have been at the riverbank
that glorious day
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
on that day, that wondrous day
when the babe, the carpenter
was baptized by the one crying in the wilderness
when the one for whom he proclaimed the coming
was anointed king, the blessed one
blessed by God, the spirit descending like a dove
To witness the holy moment
to see the sky part, the heavens open
to see the spirit fall upon him
Lift him up out of the water
out of the humanness, to wrap around him
to anoint and grace him,
to steel him for the journey,
the tempting, the trials,
the ministry to come
Oh to have been at the riverbank
that glorious day
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
The Clouds Opened
The curtain torn, the distance
the chasm between heaven and earth
bridged in the moment
the moment he came up out of the water
the baptized, cleaned, redeemed son
Rising up from the water,
light of God descending
piercing through the curtain
the heavens opened to His glory
His spirit descending from heaven
onto the one who would save
illuminate the darkness
be a beacon in the storm
and our way home
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 42:1-9
the chasm between heaven and earth
bridged in the moment
the moment he came up out of the water
the baptized, cleaned, redeemed son
Rising up from the water,
light of God descending
piercing through the curtain
the heavens opened to His glory
His spirit descending from heaven
onto the one who would save
illuminate the darkness
be a beacon in the storm
and our way home
January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 42:1-9
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Saving One Life
Avoiding the massacre
the killing of the innocents
the one life spared;
flight to Egypt
The life of the one,
the one who was marked
to save the people,
of the covenant
of the new covenant
God saved the one life,
understanding, perhaps where we cannot
the uniqueness of this one life
this young child, born to save us
The child who was important,
before all tasks, before all other goods,
worthy of saving, of praise,
of reverence, of anointing with oil
the one soul saved,
from the wrath of the king
to save us all
January 10, 2008
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon, “Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07 and Exodus 1:8-22;
and the discussion in Middle High
Sunday School that morning; and the stories of
Mary and Martha, and the gift of nard,
Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:1-8
the killing of the innocents
the one life spared;
flight to Egypt
The life of the one,
the one who was marked
to save the people,
of the covenant
of the new covenant
God saved the one life,
understanding, perhaps where we cannot
the uniqueness of this one life
this young child, born to save us
The child who was important,
before all tasks, before all other goods,
worthy of saving, of praise,
of reverence, of anointing with oil
the one soul saved,
from the wrath of the king
to save us all
January 10, 2008
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon, “Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07 and Exodus 1:8-22;
and the discussion in Middle High
Sunday School that morning; and the stories of
Mary and Martha, and the gift of nard,
Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:1-8
He Let Them Die
We talk of the slaughter
Herod’s massacre of the innocents
The same, in an earlier time,
the rage of the pharaoh.
Two who would save the people
saved from the wrath of power.
But a question from the class,
from the teen, trying to understand…
The flight to Egypt saved a savior;
but innocent blood was spilt
Couldn’t he has saved the innocents
by staying in Bethlehem,
exposing Herod right there and then
so others wouldn’t die
so he could live?
Difficult questions,
for human comprehension,
understanding the mind of God
and the right, by His will.
Disease and pain, war and famine
storm and trials, all a part of life,
all beyond our understanding,
as is this story,
when you look at it that way
It is a story best in context,
of the journey, the documenting
of the life of Christ,
his ministry, to explain
the allowing of the massacre
All in God’s time
January 10, 2008
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
and the discussion in Middle High
Sunday School that morning
Herod’s massacre of the innocents
The same, in an earlier time,
the rage of the pharaoh.
Two who would save the people
saved from the wrath of power.
But a question from the class,
from the teen, trying to understand…
The flight to Egypt saved a savior;
but innocent blood was spilt
Couldn’t he has saved the innocents
by staying in Bethlehem,
exposing Herod right there and then
so others wouldn’t die
so he could live?
Difficult questions,
for human comprehension,
understanding the mind of God
and the right, by His will.
Disease and pain, war and famine
storm and trials, all a part of life,
all beyond our understanding,
as is this story,
when you look at it that way
It is a story best in context,
of the journey, the documenting
of the life of Christ,
his ministry, to explain
the allowing of the massacre
All in God’s time
January 10, 2008
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
and the discussion in Middle High
Sunday School that morning
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
A Plank in the Eye
A plank in my eye
far more than a twig or sty -
a speck in your eye
January 9, 2008
Matthew 7:3
far more than a twig or sty -
a speck in your eye
January 9, 2008
Matthew 7:3
Monday, January 07, 2008
Change
Change of the outsider,
the newcomer, the professor
change of the insider, the old hand
change of the advocate, the counsel
change of the zealot, the true believer
change of the bureaucrat, the diplomat
These are the choices,
one way to identify at least
the choices tomorrow
the way to see the candidates
crystallizing the choices
Who can make the changes
we crave
Entrenched interests wait
our decision
locked inside the Beltway
January 7, 2008
on the eve of the NH Primary
the newcomer, the professor
change of the insider, the old hand
change of the advocate, the counsel
change of the zealot, the true believer
change of the bureaucrat, the diplomat
These are the choices,
one way to identify at least
the choices tomorrow
the way to see the candidates
crystallizing the choices
Who can make the changes
we crave
Entrenched interests wait
our decision
locked inside the Beltway
January 7, 2008
on the eve of the NH Primary
Sunday, January 06, 2008
By a Star Revealed
By a star was the Lord revealed
his birthplace marked, light shone on the babe
from a star, leading the wise men, the Magi
on their journey from the East
to the city of Jesse, the home of David,
the place ordained by the prophets,
revealing the will of God,
unfolding still, through the babe
for whom the star shone
so long ago, a king born to us
a savior born for us all
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
his birthplace marked, light shone on the babe
from a star, leading the wise men, the Magi
on their journey from the East
to the city of Jesse, the home of David,
the place ordained by the prophets,
revealing the will of God,
unfolding still, through the babe
for whom the star shone
so long ago, a king born to us
a savior born for us all
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
A Star Led Their Way
It was his star, that singular moving star
like the pillar of fire, the moving cloud of the exodus
a star that moving before them,
leading them to the babe, his mother
to the birthplace of the king
where others could not go;
they followed the star
to his bed, to pay him homage
with presents worthy
for the babe, the king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
like the pillar of fire, the moving cloud of the exodus
a star that moving before them,
leading them to the babe, his mother
to the birthplace of the king
where others could not go;
they followed the star
to his bed, to pay him homage
with presents worthy
for the babe, the king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Astrologers
Astrologers, studying the stars
such were the unlikely messengers
to the king, the priests, all of Jerusalem;
the coming of the savior, the new Moses
revealed to foreigners, stargazers
wise men from the East
led by a star from its rising
the star of Bethlehem
and the son of God
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
such were the unlikely messengers
to the king, the priests, all of Jerusalem;
the coming of the savior, the new Moses
revealed to foreigners, stargazers
wise men from the East
led by a star from its rising
the star of Bethlehem
and the son of God
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
A Frightened King
A frightened king
tried stealth and then wrath
to stop the coming
the birthing of the Messiah,
the savior, the coming of the Lord;
to thwart the will of God
But no such weak king,
no pawn of Rome
could stop the babe
in the manger
the humble born
savior
Sometimes God comes
in roaring fire;
sometimes in hushed whispers
and one special epiphany
in an infant born humbly
to rule eternity
for his kingdom is not of this world
Let Herod have it.
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23
tried stealth and then wrath
to stop the coming
the birthing of the Messiah,
the savior, the coming of the Lord;
to thwart the will of God
But no such weak king,
no pawn of Rome
could stop the babe
in the manger
the humble born
savior
Sometimes God comes
in roaring fire;
sometimes in hushed whispers
and one special epiphany
in an infant born humbly
to rule eternity
for his kingdom is not of this world
Let Herod have it.
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23
At the Appointed Time
At the appointed time,
the time when God had ordained
Even the son was predestined
for the steps on the path
So at that appointed time
before the betrayal
the bread and the cup were shared
his words transforming the meal forevermore
the blood, the lamb, the bread
all now of the new covenant
by his sacrifice and saving
January 6, 2008
words of Reverend Lori Eldredge
at the beginning of Communion
Rejuvenation service,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, January 6, 2008
the time when God had ordained
Even the son was predestined
for the steps on the path
So at that appointed time
before the betrayal
the bread and the cup were shared
his words transforming the meal forevermore
the blood, the lamb, the bread
all now of the new covenant
by his sacrifice and saving
January 6, 2008
words of Reverend Lori Eldredge
at the beginning of Communion
Rejuvenation service,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, January 6, 2008
To Pay Homage
To pay homage to the king,
the Messiah, Emmanuel,
the babe in the manger, born of the virgin
in Bethlehem, city of David
They were destined for wonder;
he was destined for death
His plot revealed
and escape by angels’ breath
in dreams revealed
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
the Messiah, Emmanuel,
the babe in the manger, born of the virgin
in Bethlehem, city of David
They were destined for wonder;
he was destined for death
His plot revealed
and escape by angels’ breath
in dreams revealed
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Reluctant Spies
They were wise men, after all,
students of the stars, of the writings,
religions, prophesies. They weren’t easily duped
brought within the schemes, the plans
of the frightened king
They were enlightened, warned
and they acted on the warning
to save the king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
students of the stars, of the writings,
religions, prophesies. They weren’t easily duped
brought within the schemes, the plans
of the frightened king
They were enlightened, warned
and they acted on the warning
to save the king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
In Secret They Were Sent
Magi, astrologers, wise men.
They were the outsiders, the unclean foreigners;
but he needed spies to find the baby
to search out the king, to find his rival
pinpoint his strike, his attack,
to cut off the prophesy, to deny God
So Herod met with the foreigners
the outsiders, to be his unwitting agents;
but God had other plans
Plans for homage and for safety
for glory and for the future
They were the outsiders, the unclean foreigners;
but he needed spies to find the baby
to search out the king, to find his rival
pinpoint his strike, his attack,
to cut off the prophesy, to deny God
So Herod met with the foreigners
the outsiders, to be his unwitting agents;
but God had other plans
Plans for homage and for safety
for glory and for the future
----------------------
edited August 15, 2019
In Secret They Were Sent – v2
January 6, 2008
In Secret They Were Sent
Matthew 2:1-12
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by
Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All
rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 51,450+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
advent, christian poems, christian poetry, Epiphany,
Faith, faith poetry, God, haiku, hope, light, Magi, Matthew 2, praise poems,
praise poetry, religious poetry, way, wise men,
#advent #Christian #poem #poetry #Epiphany #Faith #God #haiku
#hope #light #Magi #Matthew2 #wisemen
He Saw Heaven Open
Coming up out of the water
out of the River Jordan
Heaven opened to him
He saw God descend
the spirit descend down upon him
The spirit like a dove,
alighting on him bodily
clothed with the spirit
covered by his robe, his care
marked, anointed for his servanthood
his healing of the rift
sealing the brokenness
God reaching down from heaven
to bless the son, before his journey
to the wilderness, to ministry
to the cross, and to glory
January 6, 2008
Matthew 3:13:17
out of the River Jordan
Heaven opened to him
He saw God descend
the spirit descend down upon him
The spirit like a dove,
alighting on him bodily
clothed with the spirit
covered by his robe, his care
marked, anointed for his servanthood
his healing of the rift
sealing the brokenness
God reaching down from heaven
to bless the son, before his journey
to the wilderness, to ministry
to the cross, and to glory
January 6, 2008
Matthew 3:13:17
To Outsiders Revealed
Agents of his glory,
God has used others, outsiders
in the telling of the story of the people
the chosen people, who sometimes
were disobedient, who didn’t obey.
So to in the story of the birth,
it was the shepherds on the third shift,
the astrologers from a land far away
It wasn’t to the king, to the priests,
the sons of Levi. The creator
revealed the birth of the son
to outsiders, foreigners
God has used others, outsiders
in the telling of the story of the people
the chosen people, who sometimes
were disobedient, who didn’t obey.
So to in the story of the birth,
it was the shepherds on the third shift,
the astrologers from a land far away
It wasn’t to the king, to the priests,
the sons of Levi. The creator
revealed the birth of the son
to outsiders, foreigners
====================
edited
July 24, 2019
To
Outsiders Revealed – v2
January
6, 2008
To
Outsiders Revealed
Matthew
2:1-12
All
of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact
me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 50,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
advent, Christian, poems, poetry, Epiphany, Faith, God,
haiku, hope, light, Magi, Matthew 2, praise, way, wise men, Christ, Spirit,
love, grace,
#advent #Christian #poems #poetry #Epiphany #Faith #God #haiku
#hope #light #Magi #Matthew2 #praise #way #wise men #Christ #Spirit #love #grace,
Would We Know Him
Like Herod, the whole of Jerusalem,
the people of the Covenant, the Jews,
the chosen ones, the ones he came to save
did not know him, did not believe,
or feared that he may be the one
The disciples too, timid, awkward,
unbelieving, failing to understand,
to comprehend; stuck in the old beliefs
Would we be any better, any different,
if he were to walk among us
Would we recognize him,
as a humble servant,
as a mighty king,
Would we know him,
or would be jail him
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
the people of the Covenant, the Jews,
the chosen ones, the ones he came to save
did not know him, did not believe,
or feared that he may be the one
The disciples too, timid, awkward,
unbelieving, failing to understand,
to comprehend; stuck in the old beliefs
Would we be any better, any different,
if he were to walk among us
Would we recognize him,
as a humble servant,
as a mighty king,
Would we know him,
or would be jail him
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss for
usage. See all 21,720+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Writing Beside Me
Her pencil writing,
beside me, as I write these words
her haiku forming, no title,
just clean simple words,
five, seven, five, syllables
in neat rows, quick bursts
moments of wonder
sitting next to me in church
writing beside me
January 6, 2008
Erica and I at the Rejuvenation
service tonight
beside me, as I write these words
her haiku forming, no title,
just clean simple words,
five, seven, five, syllables
in neat rows, quick bursts
moments of wonder
sitting next to me in church
writing beside me
January 6, 2008
Erica and I at the Rejuvenation
service tonight
Living Word
The words of God,
his thoughts conjured into being
from the dust, the clay, his breath
the law, the prophets; God’s instructions for man
born in the flesh, the living flesh of Christ
love and covenant born into the world
incarnate God, gift and sacrifice
walking among the people,
walking with the grains of sand,
living with the stars of the sky,
the expanding children of Abraham
The word, the promises of God
living with us, our brother
January 6, 2008
John 1:1-14
his thoughts conjured into being
from the dust, the clay, his breath
the law, the prophets; God’s instructions for man
born in the flesh, the living flesh of Christ
love and covenant born into the world
incarnate God, gift and sacrifice
walking among the people,
walking with the grains of sand,
living with the stars of the sky,
the expanding children of Abraham
The word, the promises of God
living with us, our brother
January 6, 2008
John 1:1-14
The Long Way Home
Off the beaten path
away from the regular routes
so was the way taken home
the Magi, protecting the child,
protecting themselves,
from Herod’s wrath
leaving a different way
away from Jerusalem
taking a longer way home
to save the child
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:12
Matthew 2:1-12
away from the regular routes
so was the way taken home
the Magi, protecting the child,
protecting themselves,
from Herod’s wrath
leaving a different way
away from Jerusalem
taking a longer way home
to save the child
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:12
Matthew 2:1-12
Fulfilled
In the book is hope
every word fulfillment
prophesy lived
January 6, 2008
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 2:1-12
started as part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story; but explaining the
interconnection of Matthew to the history,
the law, the prophets of the old testament
every word fulfillment
prophesy lived
January 6, 2008
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 2:1-12
started as part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story; but explaining the
interconnection of Matthew to the history,
the law, the prophets of the old testament
Neglect
The house was a mess;
the State was greatly distressed;
Help her get her kids
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
haiku - part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on a time when you went a different direction
because of God, as the wise men did
the State was greatly distressed;
Help her get her kids
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
haiku - part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on a time when you went a different direction
because of God, as the wise men did
A Better Prize
Standing in the court
waiting for the hearing to begin
happy smiles, assurance
certainty of a better future
The judge speaking words
words of closing of completion
“I cannot give you a prize,” he said
deep in his shtick, his banter
She spoke, quietly
“I have my kids back, that is better
than anything you could give me”
But did he even hear it, these words
of love, of understanding, of closure
from her lips; did he understand?
Maybe not; but it was her realization,
the preciousness of her reward
that mattered. She had her kids.
waiting for the hearing to begin
happy smiles, assurance
certainty of a better future
The judge speaking words
words of closing of completion
“I cannot give you a prize,” he said
deep in his shtick, his banter
She spoke, quietly
“I have my kids back, that is better
than anything you could give me”
But did he even hear it, these words
of love, of understanding, of closure
from her lips; did he understand?
Maybe not; but it was her realization,
the preciousness of her reward
that mattered. She had her kids.
Epiphany – haiku – 1
The wise men, three kings
with gold, frankincense and myrrh
bowed before the babe
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
with gold, frankincense and myrrh
bowed before the babe
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 2
Go to Bethlehem,
see the babe in the manger;
give gifts to the king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
see the babe in the manger;
give gifts to the king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 3
journey from the East
to see the babe, Messiah;
gifts and praise for him
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
to see the babe, Messiah;
gifts and praise for him
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 4
star seen in the East
led them on their journey there –
his humble stable bed
led them on their journey there –
his humble stable bed
------------------------
edited August 15, 2019
Epiphany – haiku – 4 – v2
January 6, 2008
Epiphany – haiku – 4
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
All
of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact
me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 51,450+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Epiphany, Faith, God, gospel, haiku, hope, journey, Magi,
Matthew, Matthew 2, poetry, schools, wise men, Writing Poetry,
#Epiphany #Faith #God #gospel #haiku #hope #journey #Magi
#Matthew #Matthew 2 #poetry #schools #wise #WritingPoetry
Epiphany – haiku – 5
A star to guide them
to little Bethlehem town
homage for a king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
to little Bethlehem town
homage for a king
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Walk in the Deep Woods
Walk in the deep woods
Lead us Lord on our path home
guide us on your way
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Lead us Lord on our path home
guide us on your way
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Obedience
Travel from afar
pay homage to the lamb, king
Royal born holy child
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
pay homage to the lamb, king
Royal born holy child
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Homage
They paid homage there
Bow down to the greater king
the hope of our world
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haikuon the Epiphany story
Bow down to the greater king
the hope of our world
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haikuon the Epiphany story
Words of Hope
Hear his message now
Hope is ours here in this place
God is with us all
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Hope is ours here in this place
God is with us all
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 6 – v2
I too bow down there
at the bed of our king;
the one Messiah
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
at the bed of our king;
the one Messiah
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 6 – v1
I too bow down there
at the bed of our king;
the Emmanuel
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
at the bed of our king;
the Emmanuel
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 7
Worship him, kneel down
gifts brought for the baby king
joy came into the world
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
gifts brought for the baby king
joy came into the world
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
Epiphany – haiku – 8
a holy star rising
a beacon for the wise men
light their way to him
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
a beacon for the wise men
light their way to him
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss for
usage. See all 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Jail
Behind the doors – steel
Slammed behind me, prison
Trapped, at their will
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
haiku - part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on a time when you went a different direction
because of God, as the wise men did
Slammed behind me, prison
Trapped, at their will
January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
haiku - part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on a time when you went a different direction
because of God, as the wise men did
Saturday, January 05, 2008
What Gifts Will We Bring
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh
the shepherds brought their hope, their wonder,
sang praises on high to the world
Herod didn’t go; but projected his fear
What gifts will we bring
to the babe, to the manger, to his altar
what will we do, to thank the creator
for the gift of the son
What will we bring
January 5, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
the shepherds brought their hope, their wonder,
sang praises on high to the world
Herod didn’t go; but projected his fear
What gifts will we bring
to the babe, to the manger, to his altar
what will we do, to thank the creator
for the gift of the son
What will we bring
January 5, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss for
usage. See all 21,720+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Beacons of Light
Lights, out in the open,
shining in the darkness
giving direction, comfort,
through the shoals of life,
the storms of the world
the winds that turn us about
the darkness that can overwhelm
We must turn to the light,
project it out into the world
shining in the dark places
hope where there is despair
food where there is hunger
love where there is hate
January 5, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9
shining in the darkness
giving direction, comfort,
through the shoals of life,
the storms of the world
the winds that turn us about
the darkness that can overwhelm
We must turn to the light,
project it out into the world
shining in the dark places
hope where there is despair
food where there is hunger
love where there is hate
January 5, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9
Gifts for the Baby
They brought him
gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
precious gifts carried from afar
gifts worthy of a king
gifts told of in the prophets
brought to the baby’s presence
to his manger bed
Led by the star, by the prophesy
they came, to honor him
a baby shower
worthy of a king
January 4, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Isaiah 60:1-9
gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
precious gifts carried from afar
gifts worthy of a king
gifts told of in the prophets
brought to the baby’s presence
to his manger bed
Led by the star, by the prophesy
they came, to honor him
a baby shower
worthy of a king
January 4, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Isaiah 60:1-9
High on the Mountaintop
God graced human history
moments of relationship
moments of urgency
of epiphany, of transformation
high on the mountaintops
In the burning bush,
the roaring wind, the stunning silence
the stone tablets,
the places of prayer, of retreat
of redemption, of worship
up on the mountains
Closer to the creator, perhaps
wondrous vistas
Pure moments up in the cloud, the clouds
above the troubles of the world
a place to find God
High on the moutaintop
January 4, 2008
moments of relationship
moments of urgency
of epiphany, of transformation
high on the mountaintops
In the burning bush,
the roaring wind, the stunning silence
the stone tablets,
the places of prayer, of retreat
of redemption, of worship
up on the mountains
Closer to the creator, perhaps
wondrous vistas
Pure moments up in the cloud, the clouds
above the troubles of the world
a place to find God
High on the moutaintop
January 4, 2008
After the Manger
Their journey home,
back to the East
to their charts, their maps,
their study of the stars
The wise men returning
to their home country
going home another way
What stories did they ponder
the telling of the gifts
given in the stable
to the babe in the manger
the humble station
of the king below the star
The father, the mother, the baby
under the watchful star
What must they have felt
on their journey home
of the prophesy fulfilled
the questions, the fears of the king
all of Jerusalem, at the coming of the child
blood of Jesse, born of the young girl
What future was there
for the wise men three
at the end of their journey home,
while the babe was taken
into hiding, to save him from wrath
January 4, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23
back to the East
to their charts, their maps,
their study of the stars
The wise men returning
to their home country
going home another way
What stories did they ponder
the telling of the gifts
given in the stable
to the babe in the manger
the humble station
of the king below the star
The father, the mother, the baby
under the watchful star
What must they have felt
on their journey home
of the prophesy fulfilled
the questions, the fears of the king
all of Jerusalem, at the coming of the child
blood of Jesse, born of the young girl
What future was there
for the wise men three
at the end of their journey home,
while the babe was taken
into hiding, to save him from wrath
January 4, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23
On the Road to Bethlehem
What was their conversation, their thoughts
on the long caravan
the journey to Jerusalem
to the temple, the palace of the king
on to Bethlehem, the city of David
the home of the old line of kings
Hot, dusty road westward
to the land of Israel
heavy-laden animals
uncertainty at what the star
what the star would illumine
the prophesy unfold
Following a moving star
carrying gifts for a king
on the long journey
to Bethlehem
January 4, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
on the long caravan
the journey to Jerusalem
to the temple, the palace of the king
on to Bethlehem, the city of David
the home of the old line of kings
Hot, dusty road westward
to the land of Israel
heavy-laden animals
uncertainty at what the star
what the star would illumine
the prophesy unfold
Following a moving star
carrying gifts for a king
on the long journey
to Bethlehem
January 4, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
By a Dove
By a dove
was the anointed made known
the son presented to the world
the savior given the mantle
the crown of glory
Presented to the world,
to begin his journey
after his baptism, of water;
by the spirit he was anointed
like David with oil
imprinted for service,
for his mission of teaching,
of healing, of love
up out of the water
clean from sin
robed with glory
and offered to the world
January 4, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
was the anointed made known
the son presented to the world
the savior given the mantle
the crown of glory
Presented to the world,
to begin his journey
after his baptism, of water;
by the spirit he was anointed
like David with oil
imprinted for service,
for his mission of teaching,
of healing, of love
up out of the water
clean from sin
robed with glory
and offered to the world
January 4, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Friday, January 04, 2008
Holy Ink
Check out Cathy Warner's site, Holy Ink, at http://www.holyink.blogspot.com/. Good stuff. She did one of the devotions in this week's Alive Now (http://www.upperroom.org/alivenow/).
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Deep in the Woods
The words of the doctor, he is, we are,
“still deep in the woods”
A long way from the safety of home
of health, comfort, warmth
no longer in danger
Cold woods, this time of year
struggle to move, in the snow
the cold, air hard to breath
easy to be lost in the woods
Thankful for the metaphor
the healing in the words
because being in the woods
is better than the depths
the valleys, the desert
Woods, even with bramble,
thick forest, can be traversed
a way found out of the woods
back to home and safety
if we follow the path
So are our prayers, our hope
our faith in times of struggle
in the deep woods
That His plan would be worked out
that we would walk the path
laid out for us
through the valleys,
the shadow lands
following Your light, Oh God
knowing that You lead the way home
January 3, 2008
“still deep in the woods”
A long way from the safety of home
of health, comfort, warmth
no longer in danger
Cold woods, this time of year
struggle to move, in the snow
the cold, air hard to breath
easy to be lost in the woods
Thankful for the metaphor
the healing in the words
because being in the woods
is better than the depths
the valleys, the desert
Woods, even with bramble,
thick forest, can be traversed
a way found out of the woods
back to home and safety
if we follow the path
So are our prayers, our hope
our faith in times of struggle
in the deep woods
That His plan would be worked out
that we would walk the path
laid out for us
through the valleys,
the shadow lands
following Your light, Oh God
knowing that You lead the way home
January 3, 2008
Anointed
He was baptized in the River
in the Jordan by Elijah;
but he was anointed king,
not by oil, as the prophets of old,
Samuel anointing David
He was anointed by the voice of God
the Spirit of God
washing down over him,
descending like a dove
a holy anointing
of the child in the manger
the grown Son of God
readied for the testing, the tempting
His ministry
by the anointing, the Son
with whom the Father
was well pleased
January 3, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 40:3
Malachi 3:1
Malachi 4:5
Matthew 11:1-15
in the Jordan by Elijah;
but he was anointed king,
not by oil, as the prophets of old,
Samuel anointing David
He was anointed by the voice of God
the Spirit of God
washing down over him,
descending like a dove
a holy anointing
of the child in the manger
the grown Son of God
readied for the testing, the tempting
His ministry
by the anointing, the Son
with whom the Father
was well pleased
January 3, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 40:3
Malachi 3:1
Malachi 4:5
Matthew 11:1-15
Trimmed with Daggers
For some reason
glinting in the late afternoon sun
the icicles on the gutters,
the edge of the flashings
in the bitter cold today
more sinister than beautiful
though elegant they are
Houses trimmed with daggers
clear fingers of ice
jabbing downward,
hanging heavily in the air
yearning to fall, pierce the skin
the snow cover below
fuse with the earth
once more
January 3, 2008
glinting in the late afternoon sun
the icicles on the gutters,
the edge of the flashings
in the bitter cold today
more sinister than beautiful
though elegant they are
Houses trimmed with daggers
clear fingers of ice
jabbing downward,
hanging heavily in the air
yearning to fall, pierce the skin
the snow cover below
fuse with the earth
once more
January 3, 2008
High up in the Branches
High up in the branches
balls of branches, leaves
homes of the squirrels
covered in snow
one man’s trash another’s treasure
cobbled together beehives
balls to retreat to,
high up in the branches
no longer hidden by
the leaves of summer
even of fall
exposed in icy,
the cold of winter
January 3, 2008
balls of branches, leaves
homes of the squirrels
covered in snow
one man’s trash another’s treasure
cobbled together beehives
balls to retreat to,
high up in the branches
no longer hidden by
the leaves of summer
even of fall
exposed in icy,
the cold of winter
January 3, 2008
Christmas on the Curb
Corpses piled up on the curb
limbs becoming bare
in the winter air,
shadows of the needles fallen below
on the crystallized snow banks
grayed from the salt,
the sand of the cars, the trucks
Tinsel and icicles,
singing in the icy cold
A few still sentinels
upright in the snow
holding onto Christmas
while still perched as they were
in the warm houses
so few days ago
January 3, 2008
limbs becoming bare
in the winter air,
shadows of the needles fallen below
on the crystallized snow banks
grayed from the salt,
the sand of the cars, the trucks
Tinsel and icicles,
singing in the icy cold
A few still sentinels
upright in the snow
holding onto Christmas
while still perched as they were
in the warm houses
so few days ago
January 3, 2008
Lighthouses
Not just a light for the nations,
not just being a light
the Light shining in the world,
in the darkness.
Lighthouses, beacons,
keeping all safe,
away from the shoals,
the rocks, the hidden dangers
dangers hidden in the fog,
the clutter of daily life.
Leading those out on the seas
safely to shore
to a sheltered harbor
home in the arms of our Lord
January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in The Message,
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
not just being a light
the Light shining in the world,
in the darkness.
Lighthouses, beacons,
keeping all safe,
away from the shoals,
the rocks, the hidden dangers
dangers hidden in the fog,
the clutter of daily life.
Leading those out on the seas
safely to shore
to a sheltered harbor
home in the arms of our Lord
January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in The Message,
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
A Light to the Nations
Clarity in the chaos
example of love, of faith,
clear, clean truth
so He was; so must we be
as his brothers, his sisters
His disciples, followers in the world
An example, a light in the darkness
a message of hope, of love,
to the captives, the prisoners
those lost in spirit
lost in the darkness of the world
January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in the
New Revised Standard Version,
contrasting to the translation in The Message
(see “Lighthouses”)
example of love, of faith,
clear, clean truth
so He was; so must we be
as his brothers, his sisters
His disciples, followers in the world
An example, a light in the darkness
a message of hope, of love,
to the captives, the prisoners
those lost in spirit
lost in the darkness of the world
January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in the
New Revised Standard Version,
contrasting to the translation in The Message
(see “Lighthouses”)
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Another Snow
More snow, falling by my window
accumulating on everything out my view
the oak limbs, the clutches of leaves holding on
the pine needles, bowing to the earth
those still holding strong against the weight
for a few minutes longer
the flakes dancing to the ground
driven by the wind,
rising up as it nears the house
blowing sideways,
building on the land, the cars, the other surface
a white layer once more over the grime
the dirt of the city
enveloped in the snowstorm
quieting the noise from outside
coming in the open window
January 1, 2008
accumulating on everything out my view
the oak limbs, the clutches of leaves holding on
the pine needles, bowing to the earth
those still holding strong against the weight
for a few minutes longer
the flakes dancing to the ground
driven by the wind,
rising up as it nears the house
blowing sideways,
building on the land, the cars, the other surface
a white layer once more over the grime
the dirt of the city
enveloped in the snowstorm
quieting the noise from outside
coming in the open window
January 1, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
His face set on Jerusalem
After the transfiguration
there was a change in his manner
an urgency, impatience
time was suddenly short, shorter
he had set his face on Jerusalem
the final lessons to tell, the final healings
the training of the disciples
needing to be completed
He moved with a purpose
knowing his suffering to come
hurtling forward to completion
of his work here on earth
December 31, 2007
Luke 9:28-36
Luke 9:51-19:27
Luke 9:51
there was a change in his manner
an urgency, impatience
time was suddenly short, shorter
he had set his face on Jerusalem
the final lessons to tell, the final healings
the training of the disciples
needing to be completed
He moved with a purpose
knowing his suffering to come
hurtling forward to completion
of his work here on earth
December 31, 2007
Luke 9:28-36
Luke 9:51-19:27
Luke 9:51
From Adoration to Flight
After the Magi, the gifts
gold, frankincense, myrrh,
a sudden dream, fear, panic,
flea, fly, go to the land of Egypt
to the home of the pharaohs,
the place of your ancestors, imprisoned
enslaved, until the exodus,
the freedom flight
the parting, the crossing of the Sea
the flight led by Moses
So too would the people be made free
by the babe in his mother’s arms
taken up to Egypt
until the king was no more
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
gold, frankincense, myrrh,
a sudden dream, fear, panic,
flea, fly, go to the land of Egypt
to the home of the pharaohs,
the place of your ancestors, imprisoned
enslaved, until the exodus,
the freedom flight
the parting, the crossing of the Sea
the flight led by Moses
So too would the people be made free
by the babe in his mother’s arms
taken up to Egypt
until the king was no more
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
Saved by Stealth
Deliverers of the people
each both under a death threat
a dream and a basket
into the land of Egypt
adrift and homeless
at the mercy of the dust, the river
the kindness in the foreign land
the saviors of the people
saved by stealth
to lead the people
to freedom
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 2:1-5
each both under a death threat
a dream and a basket
into the land of Egypt
adrift and homeless
at the mercy of the dust, the river
the kindness in the foreign land
the saviors of the people
saved by stealth
to lead the people
to freedom
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 2:1-5
A Massacre
It was a slaughter
all those of an age
all under two years old
put to death
to assuage the fears of the king
to rest his troubled mind
to give him peace
from a future foretold in scripture
for the people of the book
the nation of covenant
the people of the word
He was ready
to follow the model of Pharaoh
and kill the children
to save him from the king
born in the manger
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
all those of an age
all under two years old
put to death
to assuage the fears of the king
to rest his troubled mind
to give him peace
from a future foretold in scripture
for the people of the book
the nation of covenant
the people of the word
He was ready
to follow the model of Pharaoh
and kill the children
to save him from the king
born in the manger
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
At the King’s Command
At the king’s command
a massacre of infants
of innocents
The innocent paying the price
for the king’s fear, hatred
Fear of the babe born in the manger
the one visited by Magi
wise men from the East
Fear of the one foretold in the Prophets
the one who would come from Jesse’s root
would come to reclaim Israel
At the king’s command
the order was carried out;
but the one escaped
by the angel’s words
in the dream of his father
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
a massacre of infants
of innocents
The innocent paying the price
for the king’s fear, hatred
Fear of the babe born in the manger
the one visited by Magi
wise men from the East
Fear of the one foretold in the Prophets
the one who would come from Jesse’s root
would come to reclaim Israel
At the king’s command
the order was carried out;
but the one escaped
by the angel’s words
in the dream of his father
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
Like Children
In the synoptic gospels,
we are told, by the savior,
the first born
of the resurrection,
the first in the kingdom
of human birth
that we are to be like children
like children not of our age, perhaps;
but like the lowly status,
the children of his age,
of the world today
unlike our world
children, not merely innocent,
not humble alone,
the last, the least, the throw-away,
the lost, the ones left behind
thrown into the trash heap
left to die, if the wrong type
or food is short
Put ourselves into their station
their position, not merely servants
clinging to life itself,
precarious.
How much harder
those words were
to the first listeners,
disciples trying to learn,
to understand new lessons
within the context of their lives
the teachings of old
December 31, 2007
Matthew 18:1-4
Matthew 19:13-15
Luke 9:46-48
we are told, by the savior,
the first born
of the resurrection,
the first in the kingdom
of human birth
that we are to be like children
like children not of our age, perhaps;
but like the lowly status,
the children of his age,
of the world today
unlike our world
children, not merely innocent,
not humble alone,
the last, the least, the throw-away,
the lost, the ones left behind
thrown into the trash heap
left to die, if the wrong type
or food is short
Put ourselves into their station
their position, not merely servants
clinging to life itself,
precarious.
How much harder
those words were
to the first listeners,
disciples trying to learn,
to understand new lessons
within the context of their lives
the teachings of old
December 31, 2007
Matthew 18:1-4
Matthew 19:13-15
Luke 9:46-48
Refugee
After the stable birth
the visit of the Magi
the king was a refugee
a stealthy run for foreign land
away from the land of his people
hidden in Egypt
to avoid the slaughter
the rage of the King
the fear of the King
a refugee
without a home
in a land
where the people
had been slaves
Running for his life
to the land of the pharaohs
to avoid the pawn
of the Emperor
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
the visit of the Magi
the king was a refugee
a stealthy run for foreign land
away from the land of his people
hidden in Egypt
to avoid the slaughter
the rage of the King
the fear of the King
a refugee
without a home
in a land
where the people
had been slaves
Running for his life
to the land of the pharaohs
to avoid the pawn
of the Emperor
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
A Peasant King
The first will be last
The first a peasant king
homeless, without a place
to lay his head
Without a bed for his birth
a feed trough a cradle
last, like a young child
unwanted and a burden
an outcast, penniless
without career or home
a model of service
of sacrifice, that is his riches
a peasant king
such is our savior
and it is him
whom we must emulate
December 31, 2007
The first a peasant king
homeless, without a place
to lay his head
Without a bed for his birth
a feed trough a cradle
last, like a young child
unwanted and a burden
an outcast, penniless
without career or home
a model of service
of sacrifice, that is his riches
a peasant king
such is our savior
and it is him
whom we must emulate
December 31, 2007
"The Age of Innocence", a sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Sanbornville United Methodist Church, Wakefield, NH 12/30/07
Matthew 2:13-23
Hebrews 2:10-18
When I read the scripture from Matthew… I was really struck by verses 16 to 18. The verses read “16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.””
Herod was infuriated… and the children… the innocents… were killed. And this is not the only death sentence that Herod was responsible for. He killed anyone who got in his way… who he thought was a rival…this even included his wife and three of his sons. Herod even had John the Baptist put in prison and eventually beheaded because John disagreed with Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife! Isn’t it funny… how… the innocents seem to be the ones to die.
This piece of the Matthew scripture reminds me of the world… this fallen world… that we live in. The innocents or innocence die every moment…no, every second… of each and every day. Seems to me that things really haven’t changed since Herod’s time… oh the ways they die have changed… but the innocents still die. Murderous behavior by one tribe… or religion… against another is still rampant today. Herod is alive and well… and not just in the “other guy”. In fact… there is a bit of Herod in each one of us when we feel threatened.
Look around us… there are so many ways that the innocent dies… we have abortion used as a means of birth control. These innocent children are dying because they would “cramp someone’s style”… “What would the neighbors think if our 14 year old child has a child?”… the child is “unwanted…a mistake” even before they are born.
There are wars raging all around us. There is the war in the Middle East, there is the war in our streets, there is war within families. In all these situations… the innocent is the one that usually ends up hurt in one way or another. It is the innocent that is dispensable not the ones in control.
You hear about abuse and rape on the news and in the papers. Innocence is lost… stolen… killed in these situations if not a loss of life (which sometimes seems to be the better option for some of these victims of these violent heinous crimes). We wail and cry as they did in Bethlehem… As Rachel wept and still weeps for her children; we refuse to be consoled because they are no more.
There are children out on the streets. They have nowhere to turn. They are not wanted in their homes… they have their innocence taken… stolen… from them by the streets. Where is there hope for a brighter tomorrow? Who will stand in the gap for them?
Even Jesus was an innocent who died for others but in this one, single, solitary sacrifice we have hope. Within this innocent’s death there is life to be found… a new life with a promise.
We are told, in the Epistle reading from Hebrews, that… Jesus is made the pioneer of our salvation perfect through suffering. For the one who sanctifies and all who are sanctified have one Father. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Even though He was tempted… even though He suffered as we do… He remained the pure, blameless sacrificial Lamb. And the scripture goes on to say that “Because he himself was tested by what he suffered… He… is able… to help…those… who are being … tested.”
This statement … this verse… is the very essence of a poem that Ray wrote for me. It is called Tempted:
The final verse of the reading
the lesson for the Hebrews
Jesus was tempted
Other tellings
of the same lesson
say he was tested
An interesting difference
thesaurus needed for the nuance
the related meaning; but a difference too
for he was tempted by the devil
tested by life’s travails
to be the worthy sacrifice,
the humble servant king
the anointed priest
all while fully human
tested, tempted as we are
in trying, fitfully,
doing the Father’s will
It is through His sacrifice on the cross… through this pure life… through Jesus’ obedience right up to and after His death on the cross that we are set free. Free from the death of sin… free from the bonds that hold us down… free to reach out with love and share this good news to those around us. Free to change a life that has broken by the loss of innocence… destroyed by the world we live in and help metamorphous it into a life where there is hope and a future… Give wings to fly to those who have been cocooned by society.
How can we begin to take on this monumental task? We look at the world around us and feel overwhelmed by what we see and hear. Well… all through the bible… we hear over and over again… fear not, I am with you. God is on our side… God is working our His plan… If God is for us (who can be against us). We need to trust in God… we need to reach out to those innocents around us and help them realize there is hope.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what to say. As with Moses… God will give us what need to be said. God wants ALL of His children to come home and He uses you and me to bring that about.
Another thing we can do is pray. Pray for our leaders, pray for our nation, pray for the parents of the world, pray for the children of the world. Just pray for whatever God puts on your heart!
We need to stop and listen to that still small voice within us. It is there… all we have to do is quiet ourselves in order to hear. The Spirit within us will guide us to what we need to do… our call in the world we live in.
God has surrounded each one of us with angels bearing messages we need to hear – messages that have the potential to bless our lives. We as Christians need to be the “angel’s messenger” to the least, the lost, the forgotten… those innocents around us… giving them the message of love, of hope, of peace. You never know… not only may we bless their lives but in the doing… be blessed beyond measure in being the ambassador of Christ here in the world.
We have a choice to make in life…we can either go through life thinking that these things…these people don’t effect us, that we have enough problems of our own, why should we take on another’s issues…or…we can reach out to those who are the innocents around us and share the Good News of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, we can help them metamorphus into what Christ would have them be…help them find their wings and fly as if on wings of an eagle. We can help make this world a better place if we but listen to that still small voice inside guiding us in the direction we should go.
I would like to end my sermon with a poem that I wrote in Mexico when I went on a Liberation Theology trip there when I was in undergrad. school. It is called “Listen to my Children Crying,” I wrote it when I came back and was thinking about all that I saw there. It reads:
Can’t you hear my children crying?
In your neighborhoods and around the world.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
For justice in their oppression and pain.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
For help from those who know the truth.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
There are children in the street,
With not enough to eat.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
There is injustice running wild,
Can’t you see this my child?
Can’t you hear them crying?
You have been sent on a mission,
To care for your brothers and sisters.
To right the wrongs of those with no voice.
They are there not by their choice.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
Why do you turn away?
They need your help not tomorrow but today!
Can’t you hear my children crying?
Why are they dying?
Amen
Hebrews 2:10-18
When I read the scripture from Matthew… I was really struck by verses 16 to 18. The verses read “16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.””
Herod was infuriated… and the children… the innocents… were killed. And this is not the only death sentence that Herod was responsible for. He killed anyone who got in his way… who he thought was a rival…this even included his wife and three of his sons. Herod even had John the Baptist put in prison and eventually beheaded because John disagreed with Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife! Isn’t it funny… how… the innocents seem to be the ones to die.
This piece of the Matthew scripture reminds me of the world… this fallen world… that we live in. The innocents or innocence die every moment…no, every second… of each and every day. Seems to me that things really haven’t changed since Herod’s time… oh the ways they die have changed… but the innocents still die. Murderous behavior by one tribe… or religion… against another is still rampant today. Herod is alive and well… and not just in the “other guy”. In fact… there is a bit of Herod in each one of us when we feel threatened.
Look around us… there are so many ways that the innocent dies… we have abortion used as a means of birth control. These innocent children are dying because they would “cramp someone’s style”… “What would the neighbors think if our 14 year old child has a child?”… the child is “unwanted…a mistake” even before they are born.
There are wars raging all around us. There is the war in the Middle East, there is the war in our streets, there is war within families. In all these situations… the innocent is the one that usually ends up hurt in one way or another. It is the innocent that is dispensable not the ones in control.
You hear about abuse and rape on the news and in the papers. Innocence is lost… stolen… killed in these situations if not a loss of life (which sometimes seems to be the better option for some of these victims of these violent heinous crimes). We wail and cry as they did in Bethlehem… As Rachel wept and still weeps for her children; we refuse to be consoled because they are no more.
There are children out on the streets. They have nowhere to turn. They are not wanted in their homes… they have their innocence taken… stolen… from them by the streets. Where is there hope for a brighter tomorrow? Who will stand in the gap for them?
Even Jesus was an innocent who died for others but in this one, single, solitary sacrifice we have hope. Within this innocent’s death there is life to be found… a new life with a promise.
We are told, in the Epistle reading from Hebrews, that… Jesus is made the pioneer of our salvation perfect through suffering. For the one who sanctifies and all who are sanctified have one Father. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Even though He was tempted… even though He suffered as we do… He remained the pure, blameless sacrificial Lamb. And the scripture goes on to say that “Because he himself was tested by what he suffered… He… is able… to help…those… who are being … tested.”
This statement … this verse… is the very essence of a poem that Ray wrote for me. It is called Tempted:
The final verse of the reading
the lesson for the Hebrews
Jesus was tempted
Other tellings
of the same lesson
say he was tested
An interesting difference
thesaurus needed for the nuance
the related meaning; but a difference too
for he was tempted by the devil
tested by life’s travails
to be the worthy sacrifice,
the humble servant king
the anointed priest
all while fully human
tested, tempted as we are
in trying, fitfully,
doing the Father’s will
It is through His sacrifice on the cross… through this pure life… through Jesus’ obedience right up to and after His death on the cross that we are set free. Free from the death of sin… free from the bonds that hold us down… free to reach out with love and share this good news to those around us. Free to change a life that has broken by the loss of innocence… destroyed by the world we live in and help metamorphous it into a life where there is hope and a future… Give wings to fly to those who have been cocooned by society.
How can we begin to take on this monumental task? We look at the world around us and feel overwhelmed by what we see and hear. Well… all through the bible… we hear over and over again… fear not, I am with you. God is on our side… God is working our His plan… If God is for us (who can be against us). We need to trust in God… we need to reach out to those innocents around us and help them realize there is hope.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what to say. As with Moses… God will give us what need to be said. God wants ALL of His children to come home and He uses you and me to bring that about.
Another thing we can do is pray. Pray for our leaders, pray for our nation, pray for the parents of the world, pray for the children of the world. Just pray for whatever God puts on your heart!
We need to stop and listen to that still small voice within us. It is there… all we have to do is quiet ourselves in order to hear. The Spirit within us will guide us to what we need to do… our call in the world we live in.
God has surrounded each one of us with angels bearing messages we need to hear – messages that have the potential to bless our lives. We as Christians need to be the “angel’s messenger” to the least, the lost, the forgotten… those innocents around us… giving them the message of love, of hope, of peace. You never know… not only may we bless their lives but in the doing… be blessed beyond measure in being the ambassador of Christ here in the world.
We have a choice to make in life…we can either go through life thinking that these things…these people don’t effect us, that we have enough problems of our own, why should we take on another’s issues…or…we can reach out to those who are the innocents around us and share the Good News of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, we can help them metamorphus into what Christ would have them be…help them find their wings and fly as if on wings of an eagle. We can help make this world a better place if we but listen to that still small voice inside guiding us in the direction we should go.
I would like to end my sermon with a poem that I wrote in Mexico when I went on a Liberation Theology trip there when I was in undergrad. school. It is called “Listen to my Children Crying,” I wrote it when I came back and was thinking about all that I saw there. It reads:
Can’t you hear my children crying?
In your neighborhoods and around the world.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
For justice in their oppression and pain.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
For help from those who know the truth.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
There are children in the street,
With not enough to eat.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
There is injustice running wild,
Can’t you see this my child?
Can’t you hear them crying?
You have been sent on a mission,
To care for your brothers and sisters.
To right the wrongs of those with no voice.
They are there not by their choice.
Can’t you hear my children crying?
Why do you turn away?
They need your help not tomorrow but today!
Can’t you hear my children crying?
Why are they dying?
Amen
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tempted
The final verse of the reading
the lesson for the Hebrews
Jesus was tempted
Other tellings
of the same lesson
say he was tested
An interesting difference
thesaurus needed for the nuance
the related meaning; but a difference too
for he was tempted by the devil
tested by life’s travails
to be the worthy sacrifice,
the humble servant king
the anointed priest
all while fully human
tested, tempted as we are
in trying, fitfully,
doing the Father’s will
December 27, 2007
Hebrews 2:10-18
(NIV)
the lesson for the Hebrews
Jesus was tempted
Other tellings
of the same lesson
say he was tested
An interesting difference
thesaurus needed for the nuance
the related meaning; but a difference too
for he was tempted by the devil
tested by life’s travails
to be the worthy sacrifice,
the humble servant king
the anointed priest
all while fully human
tested, tempted as we are
in trying, fitfully,
doing the Father’s will
December 27, 2007
Hebrews 2:10-18
(NIV)
Tested
His life a test
more than our own
it would seem
tested as a human
in our bodily form
but faithful where we are not
living the law and the prophets
fulfilling the scripture
playing out his role,
known from the beginning
but followed none the less
his will as God’s will
humbly bowing to the Lord
December 27, 2007
Hebrews 2:10-18
NRSV
more than our own
it would seem
tested as a human
in our bodily form
but faithful where we are not
living the law and the prophets
fulfilling the scripture
playing out his role,
known from the beginning
but followed none the less
his will as God’s will
humbly bowing to the Lord
December 27, 2007
Hebrews 2:10-18
NRSV
A Sacrifice
Unlike Isaac,
given, offered up
by the father alone
He was a sacrifice
anointed by the Father;
but given too
by his active choice
accepting the cup,
bringing it to his lips
the crimson stain
Offering himself
as the one pure sacrifice
needed to seal the breach
we could not fill
the gap we could not cross
between man and God
December 27, 2007
Hebrews 2:10-18
given, offered up
by the father alone
He was a sacrifice
anointed by the Father;
but given too
by his active choice
accepting the cup,
bringing it to his lips
the crimson stain
Offering himself
as the one pure sacrifice
needed to seal the breach
we could not fill
the gap we could not cross
between man and God
December 27, 2007
Hebrews 2:10-18
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 46,460 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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