We are the Dogs

We are the dogs, the unclean,
the animals, the outsiders
Not the children, the chosen ones
for whom he came.
We are the dogs,
unworthy of a seat at the table
crumbs for us, under the table
scraps to eat
But oh there is enough
even in the crumbs
a bountiful harvest
of living grace in the crumbs
endless sustenance
even in the crumbs

March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 31,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Food Enough

Oh, there is food enough, for the children,
the dogs, the cats, the whole world
food enough for all to be fed, nourished
filled with the spirit, with the grace, with the hope
of the risen Christ, the love of the father
brought to earth in the son; saving us all
food enough, to eat, to drink, to be made whole
bread and wine, living water,
light for the nations
guiding our feet
food enough
bread from
heaven

March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30

The Children don’t know what they are missing

He came, first, to feed the children
to prove the scriptures, fulfill the prophets
to bring the chosen people, back to the fold
the greener pastures, the arms of the father
prodigal children coming home
But they turned their backs,
closed their minds, deaf ears, blind eyes
to the truth of his presence among them
some believed; but it was often the dogs
the ones who were not of the faith
who had faith in him, who believed
from his birth, traveling from far in the east
to his stable bed. Those not of the covenant
believed in the new covenant
The children don’t know what they are missing

March 31, 2008
Mark 7:24-30

Walk Humbly

Walk humbly, with our brothers, our sisters,
with our loving God, to fall to his will
to see ourselves in others, to wish harm
on no one on earth
Being Christ in this time, our place
to do the will of the father, our father
in all we say, all we think, all we do

March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8

Love Mercy

Love mercy, kindness, compassion
in the world, in the work of the pilgrims,
disciples to the nations, as we must be
serve those who are in need, offer a hand
offer hope, love, in the name of Christ
spread his message to the ends of the earth
for in his example we find our path
our humble savior, a lowly servant
He who would be king
a messiah on a donkey, on the cross
not on a flaming chariot,
a fire breathing stallion
He knew his power
but fell to the ground
and washed the disciples feet
fell to the ground in prayer
and did the father’s will
Showing mercy to us all
in the gift of his life

March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8

Do Justice

Work to do justice
to find placed where you can fight
to heal those who have been wronged
to feed the hungry, to stop the diseases
free the captives from their bonds
Seek the better way, for your community
our world each day

March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8

Do Not Judge

Be careful what you say, what you think
walk humbly, focusing on your own faults
your own growing edges are enough
Put yourself in your neighbor’s shoes,
walk in the servant’s sandals
show kindness to all whom you meet
for we all sin, all need God’s grace
his boundless mercy, to be saved

March 30, 2008
Micah 6:8
Matthew 7:1-2
John 8:7

Her Future

A new future, a sudden change
leaving the old, the comfortable behind
new promise, new hope
beyond the horizon line
her future, on another road
a different path, another vineyard
sowing in another field
reaping where others have sown, pruned
nurturing another’s children
culling the chaff, bringing the harvest
into the master’s granary
Planting anew, in its season
a new future in another place
May she reap a bountiful harvest there.

March 30, 2008

Blessed to Believe

How blessed to believe
in the unseen, the unproven
knowing, somewhere deep within
the true, unrevealed but indwelling
articles of faith. That which we share
convey to all who will hear,
to generations to come.
Carrying his story, their story,
our story, to the ends of the earth
Believing by faith,
seeing the signs of his grace
everywhere, all around us

March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31

Believing

Their story in those later days
more than while he lived,
those days after Easter morning
lessons on the nature of Christ,
on believing for all Christians
Walking, sharing, being with them
giving them what they needed
preparing them to believe
fulfillment of all scripture in Christ
their ability to go forth
faith to tell the world
to share his story, their belief
throughout the ages
to the present day

March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Luke 24:13-35

Doubting

Doubting disciples
servants not yet prepared
hiding in the shadows of the city
hoping, praying that he will return
cast off the shackles of death
bring heaven to the earth
Doubting disciples
needing his presence among them
to believe. His hands to touch
his side to pierce once more
Needing to touch to believe.

March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31

Touching

Touching his hands
placing our hand
into his side, the open gash
where the spear
thrust by the centurion
into our savior
dying, dead on the cross
Believing, instantly, immediately;
but only in touching
experiencing the living shepherd
through contact, empirical evidence
shackled to seeing
believing only what could be proven
How hard it is
cross that threshold
to believe by faith alone

March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31

Seeing

Seeing the risen Lord
in their midst
joining them in secret
in their locked room
revealing his resurrection
to the faithful together
meeting them as they were
timid and afraid, in hiding
giving them the spirit
equipping them directly
Showing them signs
making himself real to them
believing so that we can know
the true nature of Christ,
our living God

March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31

Breathing

It was his breath,
no tongues of fire,
giving the holy spirit
into their trembling hearts
breathing life into the scared followers
preparing them, us, to be witness
to proclaim the good news
Christ is the Messiah,
the Son of God, savior and redeemer
living in our very breath

March 30, 2008
John 20:19-31
Acts 2:1-12

The Crumbs are Enough

the food so rich, its taste sweet
beyond measure, beyond comparing
even the crumbs are enough
ample, sufficient to fill out hunger,
our longings, our needs
Here to feed the children, but the scraps
cast off and dropped for the dogs
able to nourish, to feed all the world
so was his gift, his lesson, his example
from him all are fed, the chosen ones
and all, to the ends of the earth

March 30, 2008
Mark 7:24-30

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/03/crumbs-are-enough.html

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 31,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Rose Petals

Dried and gathered,
pastel echoes of their blooms
baskets, bowls of rose petals
Beautiful memories
supple skin, fading fragrance
tokes of love shared, savored
gathered and save rose petals

Perhaps they will go as before
coating your path, our way
when we joined together
before our God

March 30, 2008

Shoots of Green

Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths
green shorts up through
the peaty wet mulch,
the still-white snow of March;
the warming sun
drawing them out
up from their winter slumber
called from the earth;
they rise

March 30, 2008

Under the Melting Snow

Under the melting snow
bright wet white crystal of snow
dormant greens, bright colors
rising from the damp earth
yearning for the warming sun

Cast off the winter mantle
the frozen slumber
climb and bloom, bright colors
spring has come to the garden
rejoice in its return

March 30, 2008

On the Walk

It wasn’t where they were going,
it was the walk, the conversation, the revelation
they were on the walk, their journey
that fateful Easter day, walking out of the city
a short walk away, away from the cross, the grave
the confusion of the events, the claims,
the disbelief, the Messiah dead, but stories already
of the empty tomb, the surprises with the dawn
There they met him, anew, in wonderment
incomprehensible,, amazing, the shepherd alive
walking on the road with the savior
hearing his story anew,
with different understanding, perhaps
But full awareness, epiphany, in the blessing,
the bread and the wine. Jesus alive with them
walking on that journey

March 26, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Life Without Limbs - update (first post 7/8/07) - on 20/20

I received the following email yesterday. I hope to watch, and I encourage you to also. See more on Nick at - http://www.lifewithoutllimbs.org/.

"Hello Friend, Nick Vujicic here!

Several days ago ABC’s 20/20 program interviewed me at my home here in Southern California. What a remarkable opportunity to share about Life Without Limb’s ministry and the impact that we are having upon thousands throughout the United States and the world!

The 20/20 broadcast will air this Friday, March 28th at 9:00pm PST/EST. (Check your local listings)

It is my greatest desire to faithfully share the life-changing, obstacle-overcoming, gospel message with as many people as I can. As a man with no arms or legs, my very testimony breaks down barriers to express the hope that can be found only in Jesus Christ.

The country of the United States needs this hope right now! Would you pray with me that God will use the 20/20 interview to stir up souls for the Kingdom? This is my first national interview on American television and the questions of the interviewer guided the conversation continually back to hope in Christ.

Here are some ways we can work together to make the most of this incredible opportunity:

1. Please pray that God will use the 20/20 interview to awaken souls to Him.

2. Please forward this e-mail to all of your friends.I am looking forward to hearing from you in the days to come.

May our Lord bless you and ignite His will in your life today!

In His service,

Nick Vujicic &
The LifeWithoutLimbs Team"

Planting Seeds

Each poem, each bit of verse
given to me, knitted together
each poem posted, to the world
a seed planted into the ephemeral soil
the rich soil cyberspace
cast into the wind, hoping to find
the one heart where it was supposed to land
one heart crying out for an answer
for hope in the wilderness of modern life
May the words I send out be a blessing
a seed planted, to be nurtured by another,
for a bountiful harvest, to God’s glory

March 26, 2008
1 Corinthians 3:8
Micah 6:15
Walk to Emmaus
Changing Our World

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 29,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shadow of the Hawk

The shadow of the hawk
swooped across my window,
breaking my concentration for a moment
Above the oak, still bare before budding,
the roost of the small birds,
chattering in the tree
Even the crow scattered,
feeling the watchful eyes
of the more purposeful predator

March 25, 2008

Called by the Water

Living water, calling us, our spirits, to drink
to sustain, renew us, in the living water
an endless spring, flowing up, into our spirits
drinking deeply, finding rest, a newness of life
the sense of the presence of God’s grace
fall on us, living water, wash our spirits clean
cast of the grime, the dust, the dirt of modern life
plant our roots deep in the living water
nourished by the creator, his holy word
the living water of life

March 25, 2008

Roses for Mom - by Shanequa Foss

Roses are red
you are so brown
mom is so special
I love you so much!

by Shanequa
March 24, 2008

Witnesses as They Were

Like Peter, the other disciples
we too are witnesses, as they were
to the acts of Jesus, the power of the savior
the spirit working in the world,
in our lives, the lives of the saints before us
the grace upon grace heaped on us
the work of the creator, continuing still
alive in the world, newness each day
in the sunrise, the first breath awakening
the smile in a daughter’s eye
pulling me close to her
We are witnesses too,
proclaiming the good news

March 24, 2008
Acts 14a, 22-32
Alive Now devotional for 3/24/08

We were the Whip

We were the whip, the jeers, the scourging,
the mocking of the soldiers
bringing shame, pain, humiliation
to the savior, captive to the state
The thorns in the crown, cutting into his brow
the nails piercing his hands, his feet
the splinters in the cross, adding pain
We were the taunts on the road to the skull,
the taunts, calls at the cross, to save himself
We were the disdain of the elders, their jealousy
we were the indifference of Pilate
the injustice of the crowd

March 23, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/20/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

We were the Silence

We were the silence,
complete, utter silence
as the lord was captured,
as he was judged,
brought before Pilate
as he was scourged
as the crowd shouted
We were the silence
as he walked to the skull,
as he cried out on the cross
we were the silence as the world went dark,
the silence as he died, as the body was lowered
We were the silence of the tomb

March 23, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/20/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

We were the Nails

We were the nails, hammered into his body
we were the wood of the cross, the weight of the shame
he carried with him, we were
the jeers on the cross, the taunts of the guards,
the priests, the criminals beside him; we were
the sour wine in the sponge
We were the spear that pierced his side
the cold tomb that held his body,
the cloth, the perfume
we were the darkness

March 23, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/20/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

We were the Disciples

We were the disciples, who betrayed,
who doubted, who were confused
We were the disciples, who ran
We were Peter, denying the Lord,
whom we had walked with,
whom we had known, our brother
We were the shame in his heart
as the cock crowed
We were the disciples hiding
at the base of the cross,
burying our savior in the tomb

March 23, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/20/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

We were the Crown of Thorns

We were the crown of thorns
thrust onto our savior’s brow
the reed put into his hand, the purple robe
the mockery of the guards in the prison
We were the ridicule before the angry crowd
the call for crucifixion,
so soon after the triumphal entrance

March 23, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/20/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

Rise, Rise Up

Easter people, rise,
rise up, from your knees
the savior lives, conquered death
the Messiah, the chosen one
rising from the grave
the empty tomb
the cloths
on the dirt
he has risen
Christ has risen
He is risen indeed
So must we, knowing
more of the story, the truths
than those first disciples did, we
know of the Emmaus Road, Pentecost
the saints and martyrs, the faithful through
the ages after that fateful, joyous morning, when
the tomb was empty, and our savior was risen from the dead

March 23, 2008

His Voice

It was his voice, the master’s voice
which calmed her panic, her fears, her confusion
the empty tomb, the burial clothes on the ground
explained only by his voice, her master’s voice
fear not; I am risen; it is me Mary
I am going to the Father; I am not yet there
fear not; I am going before you
the voice of the shepherd, soothing the flock
protecting them, going before,
to make straight the way
Leading us to glory

March 22, 2008

The Dawn is Coming

The wait, the vigil, the darkness
is almost over, the veil is almost lifted
the dawn is coming, the resurrection is near
Jesus is rising from the dead, in the ancient story
he is risen, now, still, in heaven above
We are his and he is ours, our brother risen
on the throne with the father above
soon to return to judge
our risen savior
the stone is rolled away
He lives!

March 22, 2008

Without Easter

The cross, the sacrifice, the suffering
taking on our sins, to reconcile us to the creator
that is the story, of Maundy Thursday,
of the good, Good Friday.
But without Easter, the story is incomplete
unfinished, good but not triumphant
the lamb a sacrifice, the humble servant;
but not the king, the lamb upon the throne
We need Easter, the risen Lord,
vanquishing death, the tomb
Rising from grave, walking once more
with the disciples, believers, the faithful
Walking on the Road to Emmaus,
communing with them in the Upper Room
assuaging their fear before his ascension
preparing them for the Pentecost
laying the way for our future
as they would spread his word
to the ends of the earth
a story, ultimately that would be
Nothing without Easter

March 22, 2008

People of the Dawn

The dawn, bright, shocking
the tomb, empty
confusion, fear;
Where did our Master go?
Fear not, he is not here
He is risen!
He has beaten death!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

March 22, 2008

Easter People

People not of the cross, the grave
we are the ones, dancing on Easter morning
joy comes in the rising, not in the sacrifice alone
the atonement yes; but the rising, the risen Lord,
living from that moment on the third day
Defeating sin and death, for all time
We rise, sing praises to the king,
bow and jump up
with the dawn
The tomb is empty!
The Savior lives!

March 22, 2008

Bring on the Morning

Oh, bring on the morning!
so we can shed our ashes, our sackcloth
rise with the Christ, He Is Risen!
The grave empty, the Messiah lives
walking among the disciples, sharing his grace
a balm to their souls, the beginning of our future
a risen savior, at the right hand of the creator
our breach sealed and death defeated

Oh, bring on the morning!
our lives renewed, our grief, our shame
cast to the side, our Savior lives
the sin that caused his pain,
washed clean;
He is shimmering white
our eyes turn to the Master’s voice
we are his sheep and he our shepherd

Oh bring on the morning!
the old is past and the new just begun
we are raised, we are risen
join the saints, the throng,
singing Hosanna,
all around the world
Christ the Lord is risen today
Oh, bring on the morning!

March 22, 2008

Sealing the Tomb

They thought they would stop the disciples
the tomb sealed, guarded by the soldiers
stop them from stealing the body,
false claims of prophesy fulfilled
Did they know what their scheme would mean
what they would discover,
what would be revealed in the morning?!
Another deceit exposed, the falseness of their piety
bound in the law, forgetting the love of the creator
revealed in the prophets, the story of the people
over and over throughout their story,
written and treasured still, the birth of our faith
Oh, bring on the morning!

March 22, 2008

Waiting for Easter

Unlike the first twelve,
the eleven disciples alive
after the crucifixion
the disciples unnamed.
we know the rest of his story
of our story, the future of the faithful
his rising, he is risen,
we will be with him in paradise
our faith will make it so
But today, we are low,
with the disciples waiting
for the morning

March 22, 2008

A Holy Saturday

Waiting, in prayer, for the final fulfillment
the raising from the dead, the Messiah in the grave
The tomb sealed by the authorities, guards stood watch
the disciples, confused, waited, despairing, hoping
Would the prophesy be made real
would he rise?
They waited. Lucky for us;
we know the rest of the story
revealed to them that first Easter ‘morn.

March 22, 2008

Praying in the Garden

Sweat, pouring like blood
off his furrowed brow
choosing the agony
death on the cross
Bowed low in prayer
in the garden
within the city walls
feeling the tempter once more
submitting to the father’s will
the fulfillment of the ancient word
His fate sealed in the scrolls,
the prophets of old
Thy will be done.

March 21, 2008
Maundy Thursday
Luke 22:39-44

As Bold

As bold as they became
through the birthing by the Spirit
the transformation on Pentecost
so were they scared, timid
on the Maundy Thursday, the Good Friday
wonder at the breaking of the break, sharing of the wine
gasp at the betrayal
scattered by his capture
despair at his condemnation
hurt in his flogging
lose all hope in his dying
mourn in his death
numb, dead as he was
in the cold new-hewn tomb

March 21, 2008
Maundy Thursday and Good FridayPentecost

Before the Flames

long before the flames of power
forty days on
they ran, scattered
before the religious authorities
timid sheep without a shepherd
followers still, not yet true disciples
nowhere to go, to run
Peter in the courtyard
denying the Messiah
Judas swinging on a tree
The maser before the judge and jury
twisted by jealousy, by station
blind to who he is
the scourge, the cross awaits
darkness in the afternoon
the earth shakes as his breath dies
Good Friday is here.

March 21, 2008
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

As the Church Went Dark

Darkness closing in
as the candles went dead
piece of me wept
the weight of my sin
taking Christ through His Passion
Dimming light, head bowed
We are not worthy
of your love
Our Lord, struck, spat upon
thorns, vivid, pierced his brow
naked and whipped
Finally the cross
our hands drive
the angry nails
bind him to the rough-hewn wood
Darkness with his death
his lifeless body in the tomb

March 21, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/20/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

We Are the Nails

ours are the hands who held his wrists
the crowd screaming to crucify
our sin the nails driven into his palms, his feet
We each carry a share, a piece, a lot
of the shame, the sin, the weight he carried
the price of redemption, by the law
meted out to one who was innocent
no fault found with him
But there he hung, on the nails of our sin
hanging on the cross, between criminals
whipped and beaten, mocked and spat upon
our humble savior, on our cross

March 21 and 22, 2008
Good Friday, 3/21/08
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

Holding the Nail

One of his nails
in my palm, square-cut, smooth metal
warming to my touch, held fast
Listening to the scriptures
his betrayal, trial, his pain
meaning washing over me
tears blur my vision, head bowed
nails hammered, dull, sharp
the sound echoes within my mind
my body shudders at the image
His body hangs on the cross
hanging on the nails

March 21, 2008
Good Friday, 3/21/08
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

Stripping the Church

Little by little
the things, the bible,
the cross, the candles
were carried out
taken from the chancel
out the center aisle
in the hushed sanctuary
His presence removed
in the loss of the moment
the disciples scattered
His fate in their hands
of the Sanhedrin, the High Priest
answering trumped-up charges
the church dimmed
as the light was removed
in the stripping of the church

March 21, 2008
Maundy Thursday, 2007, 2006, 2005
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

Mocking Words

Mocking words, of the blind
needing proof for their sight
forgetting the history of their people
the belief of Abraham,
the father of them all
Blind to his truth, who he was
present in their midst
the one from God
“Let him come down”
down from the cross,
shaking off the nails
Failing to see the scriptures
revealed before them
“we will believe”,
if we but see
Missing the entire point,
the focus of their lives -
Faith is in the unseen.

March 21, 2008
Matthew 27:1-61 (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:42 (“Let him come down, and we will believe”)

After Flogging Jesus

“after flogging Jesus”,
he was sent to be crucified;
but what a cryptic, banal
inconsequential piece of prose
What unspeakable pain, hurt
he suffered, the savior, the king,
the first-born of creation and Son of God
whipped, bleeding, tortured
before the ignominy, the shame
the death on the cross
Words cannot describe,
so why utter them, it would seem;
but we must be mindful,
what those three words mean
how much he gave for us
to be redeemed to the father
What a gift we do not deserve

March 21, 2008
Matthew 27:1-61 (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:26 (“after flogging Jesus”)

A Legacy of Blood

And so was the transference, the owning
the claiming of the death of the innocent
passed from the denial of Pilate
to all generations of Jews to come
raining scorn, division, a curse on themselves
casting lots with Pilate, winning of a sorts
bringing his blood, his death, upon their children
reaping a history of pain, in claiming the killing
of the Messiah they had hoped for
whom they couldn’t see when he lived

March 21, 2008
Matthew 27:1-61 (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:25 (his blood on us and our children)

Washing My Hands

He claimed no responsibility, no ownership
of the injustice, the unholy death
of the innocent man
Absolving himself,
washing the stain from his hands
cleaning the tattoo, as if he could,
with mere water
washing away the killing
of righteousness, expedient
to maintain order
sacrificing unblemished flesh
to the jackals in the courtyard
a curse brought upon himself
in trying to wash away the guilt

March 21, 2008
Matthew 27:1-61 (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:24 (washing my hands)

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 29,920+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hope for the Sinners

He offered them, for us
hope for the sinners
even at the moment
of his own agony
Hearing their cries
for answers to their prayers
hope for the criminals
hanging on the cross
beside him, in judgment
hope of forgiveness, of grace
that we would see him
in paradise, on the day
of our own dying
With a word from the savior
one of them was saved
while on the wooden cross
There is the same hope
for us all, from the risen savior
living still, now,
at the right hand of God

March 21, 2008
Luke 23:32-43 and
mediation by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
part of afternoon Good Friday service,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 3/21/08

In Silence We Left

After the last candle,
the last of the story read
the darkness of the sanctuary
We left in silence

Listening once again
in the company of the faithful
to the ancient story
our savior’s sacrifice
at the end of a week
where he entered the city
in triumph
He gave himself
for us
we sat in silence

The betrayal by one of the twelve
submitting himself in the garden
to the will of the father
the denial by the rock
the mock trial
the sentence of death
the pain in the dying
the new hewn tomb
We were numb in silence

The light was extinguished
the darkness was cold
In silence we left

March 21, 2008
Service of Tenebrae,
Maundy Thursday
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
3/21/08, Pastor Ruth L. Foss

A Holy Week

The king in celebration, on a donkey
entered the holy city, of his ancestor David
with palms and cloaks across the road,
hosannas and singing in the air
Confronting evil in the temple,
coming and going, to reach more people
Sharing the meal, the Passover meal,
in the upper room, with the disciples,
breaking bread, sharing the cup
transforming the mundane
making a new covenant
through his sacrifice
Betrayal and denial,
fear, prayer in the Garden
falling to the Father’s will
Handing himself over to the leaders
to the will of the masses, to Pilate
Scourged and mocked, a crown of thorns
The march to the skull, Golgotha,
The weight of the cross, the pain of the spikes
No air on the cross, bitter wine
darkness, alone, death, the grave
A Holy Week, to bring us back to God

March 21, 2008

A Holy Friday

Good Friday, in its meaning
not in the doing of the evil
wrought by human hands that day
God in the flesh, holy, righteous
stained by false accusation,
by blind leaders, unable to hear, to believe
that He was the one, the one for whom they waited
the Messiah, killed by their hand
But, it was foretold, ordained,
long before any of them lived
God’s holy purpose in the walk that week
from the triumphant entrance
to the skull, the cross, the tomb
Ridicule and desertion,
pain and submission, alone in the world
God upon the cross, sacrificing himself
for all of our sin, throughout the age

March 21, 2008

A Holy Thursday

Without the Thursday,
without the Friday
There could be no
Sunday miracle
A holy Thursday
carrying out God’s plan
fulfillment of prophesy
completion of the path
of the creator, the savior
the Messiah, born holy and human
anointed in the Jordan
teaching, healing, feeding
far more than five thousand
giving life in the holy water
bearing witness to God’s love
so it was on that holy Thursday
washing their feet, being a servant
breaking the bread, sharing the wine
himself a new sacrifice, the lamb
praying in the Garden, submitting to your will
giving himself over to the betrayer
to the blind leaders of the people
handing himself over, to human judgment
condemnation, crucifixion
to fulfill all

March 21, 2008

Washing All Their Feet

Even the betrayer, the one who shared the bowl
who would give him over to man
even him, Christ washed their feet
humbling himself before the meal,
before the breaking of the bread,
the pouring of the wine
the conversion of the Passover
into the first communion
the covenant of his blood
He too was washed, but not made clean
taking the morsel, and the pieces of silver
fulfilling his role, betrayer
Turning him over to death

March 20, 2008
John 13
Matthew 26:17-75
Alive Now daily devotional for 3/20/08
Luke 22:14-23, 39-42
Upper Room daily devotional for 3/20/08
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=3&day=20&year=2008

Who Dips the Bread in the Bowl

Dipping the bread, his body
into the wine, his blood
so was the betrayer, the one
who gave him over
One who had shared in his ministry
the work, for so many years
so many days at the master’s feet
Destined for betrayal, an instrument
a vehicle for fulfillment
Overt, where the others ran,
denied their shepherd
turned away from his voice
A brother, the betrayer,
“surely not I, rabbi”.
“So you say.”

March 20, 2008
Matthew 26:17-75
Alive Now daily devotional for 3/20/08
Luke 22:14-23, 39-42
Upper Room daily devotional for 3/20/08
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=3&day=20&year=2008

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Maundy Thursday

Closing the chapter of ministry,
of the training of the disciples
he gave them the gift
of himself, in the breaking of the bread
in the sharing of the wine
submitting to the Father’s will
in the Garden of Gethsemane
and turning himself over
to the betrayer and those
who would judge him
Disciples too, fulfilled the scripture
in scattering to the wind
when the shepherd was caught
sheep without the safety
of the rod, the staff
undone by their fear
a night like no other
in the history of the world
The savior before the tribunal
who could not see

March 20, 2008

Spring

The calendar marks the beginning
the start of a new season of life
a warming of the world, my part anyway,
melting of the endless winter snows
the coming of the robin, the crocuses,
greening of the morning, brightening skies
rebirth in its season, filling the air
with fragrance of the flowers
not the cold of winter
Oh how I smiled, when I saw the notation
spring is here, let us rejoice, throw off the covers
and dance for the morning
the long winter is ending
and the color scheme is shifting
coats can be set aside soon
and yards will need to be mowed
spring is here!

March 20, 2008

Five Years Later

Five years later,
after countless loss,
deep sacrifice,
of those who answered the call
we are still at war
still fighting the enemy
entrenched in the land
a shattered vase, held together
by will, by hate, by hope
forces outside and tension within
a land ancient, a cradle of civilization
the Tigris and Euphrates
the land of Ur, of Abraham
a land of tyrants and madmen
in the swirling sand of the desert
the wealth in the oil,
the schisms of the Shia, the Sunni
the Kurds to the north
a land of tribal loyalty
a crucible for chaos
where we have been battling
Swift victory and stagnant struggle
five years later, more blood,
more treasure to pay
before any resolution
at all, for good or for evil
we are there still

March 20, 2008
March 19, 2008 marked the 5th anniversary
of the start of the Iraq War

Only to be Faithful

“I ask you only to be faithful”
such was the message,
an embodiment of grace
real-world grace of God
living in the words the minister heard
by the Sea of Galilee, easing
a balm to his troubled soul
message from God
of what he asks,
for what he has always asked
from the beginning of the covenant
written on stone, on the hearts of man
that we would be loyal,
that we would be faithful
that our hearts,
our lives would be changed
in loving relationship
with our God, our Father
that we would heed the call
the call of the Lord for our lives
that we would go where he sends us
and do all for His glory

March 17, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

Imparted Righteousness

Growing, changing, maturing
in our lives, in our faith
drawing the living water
into our waking breath
ordering our steps,
walking through the narrow gate
joining Christ in the yoke
leaving our past behind
new creations
following our brother’s example
in the lives we lead
from the moment
we turn to the Father

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
John 14:12
Sanctifying Grace

Imputed Righteousness

Righteousness of the moment
in the moment we believe
when our faith presents itself
allows our feet to move
and our hearts to change
to say yes to the calling
of the Spirit, the urging of our heart
to begin anew, as new creations
the journey of our lives
walking anew with our creator
walking in his son’s sandals

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6
Justifying Grace
Sanctifying Grace

Day of Fire

“Day of Fire”
that is what the white lettering
on his black t-shirt said
I don’t know what the maker meant
for me to see in those words
But, here in church,
I see the birth of the church, Pentecost
a day of fire, of flames changing
the history of the world
commissioning timid followers
into bold disciples, missionaries
charged to save each human soul
across the face of the globe, across
the sands of time
Good news spread like a brush fire
through the centuries after that
singular day of fire

March 16, 2008
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Rejuvenation service
Pentecost, Acts 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, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

For God’s Holy Purpose

Out of our love, the recognition
of the miracle of God’s grace,
his saving and renewing grace
we are to strive to live
for God’s holy purpose,
not out of a sense of duty
an obligation we are forced to bear
As a gift given in response
to an awesome gift,
unmerited and unearned
never to be able to repay
we are to be changed creations
living a new life,
within the vine
bearing worthy fruit
for His glory

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,790+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

More Promise than Order

Oh, if we could but follow these simple words,
to love our neighbor, to love our God,
so much more promise than order
these are the words of the ancient law,
the rules of the covenant written on tablets of stone
words boiled down to their essence, not a numbered list;
but two golden rules, echoed by the living God
God with us, in the flesh, teaching on the mountain
in the temple, by the sea, going to the people
to impart the spirit, not merely the letter of the law
to give meaning, life to the words chiseled by God
inscribing them in the good news of the savior
walking with the disciples here on earth
connecting us with the divine
leaving lessons of simple truth
we struggle to live each day
so we aspire, out of love, out of recognition
of the gifts he bestowed on us
to change, to grow, to preach
to reach to the ends of the earth
to change the world, for his glory

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace
Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18,
Luke 10:25-37

You Shall

You shall, love the Lord, your neighbor
reconciliation in the words
to the father, the creator,
to our brother, our sister
a way to live our lives,
different from our past
the ways of the world
to be holy, humble
in our walk on the earth
you shall, a promise
more than an order
a hope for the world

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace
Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18,
Luke 10:25-37

“Cleanse me from my sin”

“Wash me Lord, of all of my sin,
my iniquity, my shame, my memory
I repent of my sin, of my past”
And so it is with sanctifying grace,
for God remembers our sin no more
and we may set that load down
and carry it no more.
We can cast off that heavy burden
and come into the kingdom
free from the ache of the past
set free to walk free
to be the servant we would be
if we could move beyond,
that which we claim no more

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace
Psalm 51:2

Life in the Vine

Nurtured in the vine
living, growing, bearing fruit
while connected, the branches with the stem
the root deeply planted, anchored to the earth
the good rich soil, the fertile ground
growing while part of the vine
the blood of the stem, the branches
coursing together
bearing fruit for the world
not for the vine; but living
while each branch is grafted,
a part of the living vine

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

Promise of Easter

(not the gloom of Good Friday)

We marvel, we hope, for the coming of the Lord
in final victory, for we are the Easter people
those we rejoice at the promise of the empty tomb
the fulfillment of the prophets, of scripture
the resurrection, the commissioning, the ascension
We are the people of the rising, not the death,
the sacrifice. We are the morning, not the darkness
we rise for He is risen, joyous in the reconciliation
the union with God once more,
possible because He is risen from the dead

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Offered in Love for Your Glory

Such a wonderful way
to explain the essence of a spiritual gift,
as we all have things we are good at,
talents, interests, that seem special
but it is the motivation, the purpose, the reason
that makes the change, the not so subtle difference
if a talent is offered, given by us, in love
offered for God’s glory,
it has become a spiritual gift
an offering to our neighbor, to our God

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Being the Good News

We are called to walk in a new way
to be the good news, of the risen savior
reflecting the image of Christ
to the ends of the earth,
his light, cutting through the darkness
wherever we go, in whatever place
we find ourselves, on the walk of life
to consciously live out our faith, our creed
to humbly serve God in all we do
loving our neighbor as He first did

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

By the Sea of Galilee

He took us there, beside the Sea of Galilee
walking by the shore, sitting and pondering life
where Jesus had walked, the ancient jetty,
the same water, the same sea the disciples fished
communing with God under the starry sky
asking the questions of a soul hurting,
of purpose and call, of passion and longing
to be your servant, in a more personal way
walking by the Sea of Galilee,
hearing the master in the silence
that voice still calling to the faithful
still healing those in pain
with his presence with us

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

Reconciled to Him

For we were born in his image,
when we fell, we needed your grace,
restore the image of God
through the coming of Christ
being the sacrifice we owed for the sin
so we must only accept this gift
this grace of God, heaped on us
reconciled to him by the humble walk
of the obedient son, even to death
bringing us back to God

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

Claimed by God

A named member
the family of God
we each are claimed by God
brought back into relationship
reconciled to our loving father
as at the beginning of the world’s story
and with numbered days, known
before we take our first breath
Never giving up on us,
never turning away
Hands outstretched, reaching
for us, always
Ready when we reach,
each time we fall

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

All the Rest of Our Lives

Having been claimed, received
into the loving arms of our creator
we walk, all the rest of our lives,
forever changed, a new creation
a new being in Christ
a light to the world, aspiring
walking humbly, with mercy
love for all the world
by our words and our deeds proclaimed
brother, sister, heirs with the risen son
by grace alone saved
over and over again

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

In Believing

In believing, we are changed
ever transformed, different beings
adopted into the priesthood,
called to holy living, to projecting
the living image of God
in the world, in our times
to walk humbly, not out of obligation,
as if works bore a prize a reward,
to love the Lord, desire to spread his love
be an embodiment of his grace
within our hearts, with our hands,
lifting our voices with the saints before us
fight for justice, hope for the future
walk, day by day
for his glory

March 16, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Sanctifying Grace

Denying Him

Fearing the guards, the judgment
the authorities, in the Temple
denying his shepherd, his master,
the humble Messiah
Accused, condemned
He denied Him,
“I do not know him”
the rock,
denying the cornerstone
perhaps for a purpose,
the epiphany of recognition
of what he had done

March 16, 2008
Matthew 26:69-75 and sermon,
“Peculiar Treasures V: Peter’s Denial”,
by Rev. Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 3/16/08

Risen, in the Present Tense

Words, of our faith, the mystery of faith
bound into our lives, our hearts,
heard so many times,
“Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again”
A statement of loss and
a covenant of a future yet to come
bound the wondrous middle,
the affirmation of something
more than mere reporting
We are not told that Christ rose,
as the ancient creed holds,
No, this is a bold statement of life
of continuing resurrection, living today
of our promise,
in the scripture of living joint heirs,
as fellow disciples,
as living brothers and sisters with Christ
in the present moment. He is alive! He IS risen
living now, as surely as the moments
he walked this earth,
in human form. He is living now,
and he is our brother,
not our long, far off distant relative.
He is our living brother, now
We are his companions, his disciples
Just as much as the first twelve,
who shared the bread, the wine
We are his contemporaries, their peers
a big, rambunctious living family
Heirs in the first degree
Feeling the presently risen Christ
walking that Emmaus Road,
the journey of our lives
after the rising on Easter
Living with a Christ in the present tense
HE IS RISEN; Christ IS risen indeed!

March 15, 2008

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 29,030+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Up into the Sumac

The bird, black, glinting light
flitted across my view
snow-covered field
swooping down
toward the ground
up into the sumac
a purchase up
up out of the melting snow
an acrobatic arc
caught fleetingly by my eye
as we drove along

March 14, 2008

Take up the Towel

We are to take up the towel
used by the Christ,
the king a servant
washing the feet of the disciples
power upside down
the master’s example
we are to follow
humble ourselves too
reflect his love
be the means of grace
image of God
fragrance of Christ
throughout our world

March 14, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Pick up the Towel

Pick up the towel,
become the servant,
as the Master did so long ago
washing the discples’ feet
taking off his robe,
humbling himself
bowing low before them,
cleaning the dust, the dirt
setting our example
of holy servanthood
We are to pick up the towel
put it around our waist
continue his ministry
his work here on earth
as a servant

March 14, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Blind to His Presence

They were blind to his presence
though this was Easter day
when he came beside them
on the Emmaus Road
Would we be any different
if he walked with us
on the journey we are on
would we sense his presence
in the stranger beside us
on the road we travel?

March 14, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

By Human Hands

Off the road, into the woods
a makeshift lean-to
fallen, dry, peeling bark
a phalanx of dead pine saplings
leaning too uniform
against an unseen beam
seemingly felled by human hands
placed too neatly, too surely
by nature, by randomness
in the thawing woods, March in Maine
too far from the road
too quick a glance to be sure
but it was a little too perfect, too planned
to be anything but by human hands

March 14, 2008

A Lively Faith

Practice a lively faith
part of our lives each day
guided by Christ’s example
being for the world his presence
projecting his servanthood, his love
in all we do, for all to see

March 14, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

His Disciples

We are to be his disciples
not members of the crowd
not even followers alone
disciples on a journey
a journey of growth,
of service, of leadership
Taking up the work he began
being his disciples
in the world

March 14, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Snow on their Branch

The hawks in the deeper woods,
somewhere else after the storm
the snow new-fallen, heavy
snow on their branch
high up in the tree, set apart
their perch high up by the highway
not available this day
covered in new-fallen snow
We were left wondering, pondering
as we came off the clover-leaf,
Where do they go,
what is their purchase
where do they find food
when snow is on their branch?

March 14, 2008

By the Flames

By the flames,
the living tongues of fire
the disciples were commissioned,
emboldened, imbued with the Spirit
able to rise and speak, to proclaim
with power, with authority
to be the disciples, not merely the followers
to be shepherd, not only sheep
By the flames they were sent
out into the world, Babel broken
and the world able to hear
the power of His message
by ones sent by the flames
to the ends of the earth

March 13, 2008
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-12

Words of Faith

In so many ways, so many images, so many places
words of faith cascade, fall upon me,
saturate, drench me, washing over me,
into my spirit, my soul, flowing outward
through my fingers, my pen, the words
You grace me with, to share to the world
of the hope in your love, your gifts
showered, heaped on us in precious moments
moments of joy, of sorrow, of surprise
send me to write, to praise, to proclaim
my joy in that instant, quick, now
Words of faith, of praise, to Your glory
fall on me always

March 13, 2008

Adam Labors

Adam labors, all humankind labors,
in the field, the vineyard,
the seasons of life,
producing food for the table
all of his days
There is rest, from the labors
at the end of our days
when we join the creator
away from this place
and feast in paradise

March 13, 2008

Eve Labored

Eve labored, in the birthing
the bringing into the world
the mother bearing her children
progeny to carry on,
on this mortal coil, this plane of existence
She labored, in the birthing
And had rest, for a time at least,
when the baby was born

March 13, 2008

God Labored

God labored, in creation,
in bringing into being
the whole world, the heavens,
the earth, the dome above and below
the waters and the wild places
the mountains, the valleys,
the plants and the animals.
God labored, and it was good
He made the people,
breathing life into the clay
the dust of the earth
and it was very good
And then God rested.

March 13, 2008

A Six Year Old Singing

A happy, loving, six year old
singing for the joy of it
greeting the day, this morning
Not sure who she was singing for,
for me, for the fish in the tank,
for herself; but she sang
happy in the moment
she was sharing with me,
before bathroom, breakfast,
before getting dressed for school
there was the joy this morning
of a six year old singing

March 13, 2008

Home

Home is a place
but it is also where family is,
where each part of our hearts reside,
far flung around the world.
Part of mine lives far away,
across the sea
parts live in warmer climes,
in fields not so far from here
in places I do not yet know
places I have never been
and part is here with me
even as I write these lines
they are downstairs,
readying themselves for school
another day awakening

March 13, 2008

Pieces of Our Hearts

Far flung, around the world
pieces of our hearts
held within the hearts,
the souls, of the ones we love
some oh so near,
others far off, in places
I have not known
wandering the world,
living their lives
but held fast to my heart
by blood, by kinship,
friendship too, an equal bond
part of my heart is there with them too
because they touched my heart
and took a piece of me with them
to those far off places
where I now live

March 13, 2008

His Palms

His palms, his hands
stabbed by the spikes
the nails that held him
fast to the rough-hewn
the wood of the cross
hoisting him high
his iniquity, his shame
heaped on him
Naked and bleeding
air not reaching his lungs
last breath coming fast
deep wounds in his side,
his feet, his hands
opening his arms, his palms
for forgiveness of our sin
taking on our shame
Restore us
to the loving father

March 12, 2008

In the Breaking of Bread

He was revealed,
the scales shed from their blind eyes
in the breaking of bread
the travelers on the dusty rod
saw Christ in the sharing of the wine
the familiar made holy
his blessing, his prayer
remember me; I am with you
in the breaking of the bread
the drinking of the wine
sharing the cup
true salvation revealed

March 12, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35

1,500 faith-based poems

This blog now has over 1,500 poems that are based on my faith.

From their palms to His palms

The same word, the same spelling;
but oh so different meanings
frame the week to come
Their palms, in joy, in triumph,
in praise of His entrance,
a king entering the holy city,
where His ancestors sat on the throne
palms and hosannas greeted him
welcoming him, his entourage, in
His palms, turned by other hands,
opened for the piercing, the sharp cut
the nails driven into His palms
holding him in agony, in death
to the wooden cross, in crucifixion
The same word, the same spelling;
but oh so different meaning,
played out in His Passion
before our praise
come Easter morning.

March 12, 2008