Morning Sun

morning sun, streamed in the window
as I was washing the dishes
smiling on my day at its starting
calming my nerves, the jitters of the day
warming the morning, brightening
shining on my work, on me
the clouds haven’t parted
sky milky white; but the sun is there
staking a claim on the growing day
soon enough, it will hold sway

April 12, 2008

Her Teaching

In her rejoinder, her insistence
teaching for the master
on the scope of his mission
his ministry of love
to heal the whole world,
all who would hear
who would come to his message
and believe in faith
as she did.
Knowing who he was
and bowing at his feet
Even the dogs deserve the crumbs
and the crumbs are enough
to be truly fed

April 9, 2008
Mark 7:24-30

Just the Hem of His Robe

She had faith, enough to heal herself
just the hem of his robe, a mere brush
of her hand on the hem of his robe
and she would be healed
such was her simple faith
not wanting to stop him,
to be the center of attention
take him from his mission
her fingers coursing over the fringe
of his robe was more than sufficient
She was healed by such faith

April 9, 2008
Matthew 9:20-22

All Our Days to Come

Carrying the hope, the message, the joy
knowing God, His grace, inside of us
Marked by the savior, the creator, the spirit within us
walking all of our days, from this weekend forward
with God, with our brothers, knowing, feeling
the warmth of the fire, the collection of embers
brighter when kept close together
living our walk each of
the rest of the days of our lives

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #15, Fourth Day

To Persevere

to strive, to grow, to fight
growing spiritually together,
living our faith in community
worshiping, studying,
changing the world together
bringing God’s message of love
as the body of Christ
out into the world

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #14, Perseverance

We Are the Body

not the walls, the things, the edifice
we are the body of Christ
the living, breathing, vital church
in covenant and always
focused outward on the world
model our faith, proclaim the good news
and go and be His hands and feet
together

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #13, Body of Christ

Sanctifying

growing in faith, in piety, in response
to the cleansing grace of conversion
living in grace, steps one at a time
perfecting us in love, as the creator longs for
wanted since the beginning of time
endlessly growing in grace
in our very hearts
living as Christ lived
trusting always in God

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #12, Sanctifying Grace

The World in Need of Change

How easy it is to see
the world in need of change
hope in tragedy, in injustice
only through our action,
our voices raised against them
our hands joining others
showing Christ’s love
for the whole world
working together
to the ends of the earth

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #11, Changing Our World

Discipleship

A journey, not an end, a way to walk in life
as disciples, faithful followers
of our risen lord
never alone, always with our brother,
“Follow me” he said
immediately, breathlessly, they followed
So are we called, to change our path
and follow him
on a journey of grace

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #10, Discipleship

We Are the Barriers

We are the barriers, the obstacles,
the impediments, stumbling blocks
to relationship with God
naked and confused we live
Our sin the broken glass we fear to tread
But God is there, ready for our confession,
our true repentance, out of love,
casting off all these chains
we carry in life
Ready to love us
even in our brokenness
healing us all
making us whole
again and again

April 9, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk # 9, Obstacles to Grace

Merely a Foretaste

In the breaking of the bread
the pouring forth of the wine
a mere foretaste, a faint inkling
A banquet beyond imagination awaits
all are fed, all are welcome
We are called to the table
for the heavenly feast


April 8, 2008 18:50
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #7, Means of Grace


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

A Grateful Response

Lord, I give you my hands, my feet, my voice
all I am is given by you
my saving is by your blood
your grace heaped on me beyond measure
so I give you my gifts, my all
to serve in your name
wherever you may send me

April 8, 2008 18:47
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #8, Christian Action

Our Minds

Our minds, given to God
Spending time in Your Word,
the holy mystery recorded
revealed in the life of a people
and the life and death of a son
A story of redemption
in the sacrifice of the savior,
willingly, lovingly given
The love of the father
Ageless stories of grace upon grace
revealed in our story,
for it is our story too
if we give our minds to God

April 8, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #6, Growth through Study

Piety - 2

Practices for a lifetime of faith
In our everyday life
Enjoying a true relationship with God
Take time to study, for worship and prayer
You will be amazed!

April 8, 2008 18:13
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #5, A Life of Piety

Opening Grace

Peel back the wrapping,
the bows and ribbon
open the box of grace
ready for each one of us
specially made and cared for
until we are ready
Open the gift of salvation
and feel His love in our hearts

April 8, 2008 18:07
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #4, Justifying Grace

Believers

Commissioned believers
called, each of us, to proclaim
to preach, to witness
a royal priesthood of the faithful
like those timid followers
transformed disciples on Pentecost
imbued by the Spirit and
charged by our savior
to be in the vanguard
and reach those who have not heard
To be Christ to all we meet

April 8, 2008 18:02
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #3, The Priesthood of All Believers

Ever Present

Prevenient grace
all around us
ever present God
A living thing, grace
moving with us
there, ready, waiting
calling us, stalking us
arms of the creator
the father’s arms open wide
ready to envelop us
if we but call His name

April 8, 2008 17:58

Ever Present

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/04/ever-present.html

Walk to Emmaus

Talk #2, Prevenient Grace

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,320+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Our Free Will

By our free will
we can chart a course,
follow our guidestar
our mission, our priority
unlike the beasts, the plants,
the rocks of the earth or
the stars in the heavens
We alone, more than any other
tack to our own wind
and choose the path we take

April 8, 2008 17:55
Walk to Emmaus
Talk #1, Priority

A Moving Faith

By his faith he went
leaving all he had known
only the promise of God
to be with him always
A piety, a trust, that shook the world
Father of us all, teach us
by your wonderful example
going into the unknown,
setting out on a journey,
not knowing the end
going on his trust, his faith in God

April 8, 2008 17:52
Genesis 12:1-9
Genesis 12:1-4a and
sermon, “Peculiar Treasures II: Abraham on the Move”
by the Rev. Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 2/17/08

He Breaks the Bread We Share

The risen Christ, there at supper with us
walking with him, dusty and tired
joining us at the table, sharing His story with us
there, breaking the bread with us
the cup of salvation, wine of the covenant
feed my weary soul; make me new
Spirit wash me clean, make me your disciple
Walk with me all the days of my life

April 8, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Silently

Silently, in our own thoughts,
we waited, unsure, with a bit of trepidation
wondering what the day would hold
how the time would unfold
what was going to happen to us, for us
silently thinking, praying, wishing to begin
hoping for His presence with us
as we worked together, in ministry
as we served one another,
helping each other have the chance,
the opportunity to grow
to find Jesus on the road
and call him to join us
on all of our days to come

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Water Shaping Stone

His life changed, over time
like water shaping stone,
carving the rock with
the force of a torrent,
the crash of the waves,
the etching of the ice moving;
but shaping stone too,
with the droplets of waters
the summer rains,
the trickles down the mountainside
cutting into the stone,
in little cleft points,
places where faith can
gather a foothold
seeds can find a purchase,
scales can be flaked away
and change came, for him

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus


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

His Courage

Each talk, a risk, an opening of our own true self
before the congregation, the pilgrims
But his was different, at least by measure
His pain, shared with us, a bit more real
a bit more courageous, more raw
Sharing the lost of her, the tragic, senselessness
a moment, poignant and true, galvanized
stilling us in our tracks, there with him,
seeing ourselves, fleetingly, in our shoes
What if it was our child . . .
some other fathers thought
His story, the rest of the story, a victory
a climbing up from the pit of despair
brought into the loving arms of our father
coming home, like the prodigal son;
but going beyond, understanding the whole of the story
by his deep personal witness, shared with us

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Abide in the Vine

Live in the vine,
the whole of our lives long
drawing nourishment
from the living water,
the fertile soil,
from the stalk,
the growing branches
bearing fruit
worthy of the vine,
rich luscious,
life giving fruit,
for the world

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Living Anew

Rising from his knees, slowly
for he had been in prayer, heavy deep, honest prayer
petitioning the creator, for a lifetime gone
the weight of the years set down, cast off
shackles of guilt, of shame, long ago rusted, unlocked
callous, scars where they sat around his heart
softening in the sanctuary, melting away
Living anew, or so he would from that moment on
unburdened and reborn, in forgiveness and love

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

A Priesthood

We are called to be set apart
to live in the world for a sacred purpose
a common mission to bring to the world
the good news of the grace of God
the saving grace of the creator
bringing us all to him
Preaching in our work, our witness
His role in our lives,
His work we continue
wherever we are placed
doing the tasks that are given to us
our part, using our gifts, our talents
for the glory of the kingdom
a joyful priesthood
responding to his loving grace

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Messengers of Christ

Witnesses in the world
being Christ to one another.
Showing His love, His grace
for those who do not know Him
Being His smiling face,
hands offering help
His voice against injustice
Each of us ministers,
priests to proclaim the good news
willing to go where we are called
to be channels of God’s love
making Christ real, to be the church
a mission of love to the world

April 4 & April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

Falling Silence

As the slow falling snow
the silence wrapped around us
spending time alone with God together
stilling ourselves, quieting our spirits
slowing our pace, our breath
hoping, praying, we will be open, ready
the message to come in fellowship
Letting the silence overtake us
go before us
hearing God’s small voice for me

April 4 & April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

In His Tears

In his tears, I saw a glimpse of God
touching a heart He loves
deepening, enriching, filling his heart
with the warmth of His grace, His mercy, His care
wrapping His arms around his heaving shoulders
loving arms of our heavenly father
meeting him in the silence of his tears
etching down his rugged cheeks
A moment of grace in his life
tears of joy that Sunday ‘morn

April 7, 2008
Walk to Emmaus

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