Dependent on God

Fully dependent on God
not the lie of self-sufficiency
is this the lesson
the difference between the poor
and the rich man with possessions
Told by the world that they have
all that they need
Needing to give up, to turn over
to let go of our faith in ourselves
remembering we are clay
on the potter’s wheel alone
giving up anything
that keeps us from following Christ


October 10, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

Understanding the Rich Man

Our lives, a lesson
learning the choices of life
understanding the rich man
the disciple, the follower
his sorrow, not letting go
unable to give up his wealth
to go, sell, and to give
unable to follow the Christ
unable to part with his possessions
his station, his sense of himself
Unwilling, unable to trust
to turn in faith from his life
to follow the master, to trust
centered only on God


October 10, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

Walking Away

Turning, walking away
sorrowful at the answer
the choice he could not make
To go and sell, to give away his possessions
to let go and trust, to follow the Christ
Too much to give up
He could not do this
even though he loved
and wanted to be saved
His possessions his idol
his focus not on God


October 10, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

In a Beam

Laying down, melted
stretched out, draped
atop the cool radiator
in a beam of light
his orange fur aglow
Drinking in the warmth
a quiet spot awash
golden sun of autumn
pouring over him

October 10, 2009
our cat Larry
Suncook, NH

Failing His Test

Ultimately, all of us
standing before God
facing the test of the rich man
whether we will follow or not

To truly follow, a change in our lives
leaving all that holds us
all our false idols
things in the way
keeping us from God

The rich man failing
sorrowfully going
leaving Christ
because of his possessions
Choosing not to follow
when confronted with himself


October 10, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

You Without Reserve

What he is asking,
what is required
you, given, offered
without reserve
nothing holding you
keeping you from the creator

Nothing standing in the way
of following the Christ
Our lives, our things
the stuff that binds us
all to be sold and given away

Our savior before us
the choice ours to make
to hold onto our possessions
or follow the Lord


October 10, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

Go, Sell, Give, and Follow

The words of Christ
the lawyer before him
asking how to be saved

An uncomfortable answer
not what he wanted
to go, sell, give all away
and then to follow the Lord

All that held him,
all his possessions
All that possessed his heart

To give away all of his idols
all that kept him
set apart from God

Not one thing remaining
nothing left between us
that is what Jesus meant that day
That nothing would keep us
from following God


October 10, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin

Sermon - “What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure, What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”, Suncook United Methodist Church, 10/11/09

Mark 10:17-31

Does this scripture make you uncomfortable, a little bit maybe? I know it does for me.

What can I as a person, what can we as a congregation and people of faith in a land of such abundance, learn from this lesson? What is Jesus actually telling us to do?

I have been thinking about this scripture, the story of the Rich Man and the teaching of how hard it is for a rich man to go to heaven, and about being called to follow Christ.

And Jesus often talks about what it means to follow him, what we must be prepared to give up. Those first disciples, as Peter ably relates in the scripture, gave up everything. They did drop the nets, left their families. They stopped serving one master and chose to serve another. They took up their cross and followed Jesus.

I have often thought about these lessons, for both myself and for our country, this land of plenty, this blessed land. I am mindful too of what is going on in the world now, about hunger in the world (something I’m particularly mindful of this morning after walking over 6 miles yesterday), about the health care debate here at home, and about the global environmental threat of climate change and our role in that as individuals and as a country.

Have you determined yet what your carbon footprint is yet? I’m not sure I want to know, especially after thinking about what Muffie shared about the amount of water we all use versus what others around the world have to use. When we drained the pool in our back yard for the year, I thought, “How many people around the world could have used that?”

More personally, I struggle with all of this as an attorney, as a father, and as someone who has been blessed with the particular, specific, gift of poetry from God. I believe in my heart that it is my “starfish”, as Pastor Huntley talked of back on July 26.

He told the story of the man standing on the beach throwing starfish back into the sea. Another man, maybe any one of us, prudently asked the man why he was throwing them back, that he couldn’t possibly save all of the starfish on the beach. The first man replied that it made a difference to each one he did save from the sun’s heat, out of the living waters.

But I have this nagging feeling, this questioning. I have felt a call to do more with my gift of Poetry. Should I give up my law practice and try to write poetry for a living? Am I not following Christ because I haven’t dropped this one life and picked up the cross and trusted that this was what Jesus wants me to do? Is that where my treasure is?

I think God is challenging us to trust in Him. that He will provide if we are faithful servants. That is in our work and in our sharing of our gifts.

In my work, I have a lot of clients who haven’t paid me as an attorney. I have a lot of clients who I have taken on pro bono or at a very reduced fee. I sort of grit my teeth thinking about how much is owed. But, you know, God has provided. We have had the money we needed for our daily bread. We have this wonderful church home.

And I have responded by writing more poems, posting them in more places, and I have been blessed by the responses from around the world.

In the forty-four years of my life before meeting Ruth, I had written a total of 300 poems. In the last 5 ears, since the beginning of October 2004 to now, I have written and posted a total of 4,300 poems, 450 in just the last 3 months. And, for me, I drop my nets regularly when God calls. You see, most of my poems come when God wants them to.

Bottom line for me as an individual, I guess, is that I don’t want to come before God with a full silo, like one of the other rich men in scripture, in Luke 12:13-21. I would like to share two poems I wrote about that scripture, based on the sermon Pastor Huntley gave on November 23, 2008. The first one is called:

Storing Up When We Should Give

A foolish man, so the lectionary calls the rich man
his new silos, full, bursting; but empty
his life for the work, for storing up, preparing only
for the rest of this life, his time on this mortal coil
When the master calls, he is empty, unprepared
for his appointment with destiny
Storing up, when he should give
calling on man when God is there
when God would provide
all he, all we need

November 23, 2008
Luke 12:13-21 and sermon,
“The Human Need to Give”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church

The second one is called:

Grain Spoiled

Like the manna, enough provided, all he would need
his daily bread, relying on the Lord
Grain spoiled, in the silos, the garners
useless grain, at the end of his days
Gathered in and unshared, more than his daily needs
Spoiled, lost, when he was called home

November 23, 2008
Luke 12:13-21 and sermon,
“The Human Need to Give”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church

As a church, I think we hear this calling from God, to give to our brothers and our sisters, to not store our grain, through Our Family’s Table, through the bread ministry, through the Food Pantry, and other ways that we as individuals serve those in need.

And, as a country, I think God is calling us to be more giving, to see our neighbors as Jesus would see them, as part of our family. I would like to close, with the challenge that Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society of the United Methodist Church posed in his weekly column in Faith in Action on September 28, 2008. He forcefully reminds all of us that we, the United Methodist Church, have approved a call to action to bring about universal health coverage in America, and a single-payer system for healthcare for all, in Paragraph #3201 of the 2008 Book of Resolutions, found on pages 346 to 356.

He said that we need to be preaching about the need for health care in our country, for all. It is what we believe and it is what we should be calling for from our leaders.

Pretty uncomfortable.

As so often happens when I read scripture, when I read my devotionals, or something like this letter, I felt God’s uncomfortable nudge, his calling to me, to drop my nets and to write. This is one of the two poems I wrote about this challenge from Jim (which I sent to President Obama too). It is called:

In this Land of Plenty

In this land of plenty
no one should know hunger or fear
none should be without
the care they dearly need

We are our brothers’, our sisters’ keepers
their neighbors on this earth
we share the same human birth
our trials just the same

Our ways are made more gentle
our paths made more straight
when we each stop and help our neighbor
a good Samaritan’s hand offered
when no one is watching at all

All of us the same
no one better or worse
all called to follow
the master’s message
his command

To love one another
as we would choose to be loved
to help each other
to offer comfort to our neighbors
as we would hope they would do

All should be covered
no insurance withheld
all of our brothers, our sisters
worthy of healthcare
whenever they are in need

September 30, 2009
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink

I don’t know about you; but I think I’m actually glad I am uncomfortable about this scripture. We should be. We need to always be testing our lives against the example of Christ and his teachings, to the words of our own faith, and to Jesus’ challenges to the rich man, to all of us.

So, what will you do with this teaching; where is your treasure, what’s in your silo, and whom will you follow? Amen

Poetry Where You Live

My book, available at Xlibris: https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=56943

The Wind

Running for coffee
out to the car, still night
The sound of the wind
in the maples, losing their leaves
fall wind, blustery

Layers of crisp clouds,
illumined from behind,
as if painted on moving glass plates
some stagehand working overtime
the moon behind, radiant still

Pausing, stopping my walk
to gather in these images
coffee can wait
as I stood there in wonder


October 8, 2009
Job 37:14
and Day 55, “Consider God’s Wonder”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Not for Man Alone

All of our work for the Lord
not for man alone
every task, every effort
service to the king
A perspective, a mindset
a way of approaching each day
The love of God revealing
in how we walk in the way


October 8, 2009
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Colossians 3:23
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=8&year=2009
for October 8, 2009,
“Working for God”,
by Malinda Fillingim

Genuine Suffering

Profound abandonment
that moment of pain
genuine human suffering
the cry of our Lord
hanging, dying on the cross
Crying out to God
ancient words of the people,
the psalm, the lament

True separation from God
draped with the weight of our sin
Righteous, and yet
Forsaken by God
Darkness falling
curtain soon to be cut
Crying out to God
for his presence
in the emptiness
the suffering of the cross


October 8, 2009
Psalm 22:1-15
Matthew 27:46
Mark 15:34
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 8, 2009

Ever Calling

In the lessons, in the scripture
God pursuing, ever calling
calling for you and me
Seeking our hearts, our worship
our praise, our lives
calling us to follow Him

Leaving our lives, our sense of self
our place in the world
to drop our nets,
our treasure, our lives
to follow Him
wherever he may call us


October 7, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09

received via email 10/7/09 - "A Full Glass of Milk", author unknown

One day, a poor boy, who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?" You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.. He looked at it, and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay fo r it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words!

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed:

"Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands." There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you... The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Stubborn Clay

Not so willing, pliable
stubborn clay on the potter’s wheel
holding to our own will
not fully bending to the Lord’s
wanting a say, part of the making
the potter’s plan
Our lives needing
to be turned over
our will giving way to His
our lives pliable
yielding
to the potter’s hands


October 7, 2009
Jeremiah 18:1-10
and Upper Room Daily Devotion for 10/7/09,
“Pretentious or Plan”, by Darlene Mackey
and
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09

Our Stuff

Our lives, our stuff
our things in the way
keeping us from our master
sitting at the feet of Christ
the rich man’s lament
rumbling in the land
How can I drop
the treasure, the stuff
how can I follow,
into the unknown


October 7, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09

His Heart Hurting

The rich man, rushing to Christ
a message from the master
hard to hear
to give all away
all he had
to humble himself
to follow the Lord

So hard to let go of all
to walk away from our wealth
But so much given up
when our things
keep us from God
Let go of the barriers
all else clutter
when the savior awaits


October 7, 2009
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09

Facing Christ

at the altar rail, communion
preparing myself
facing Christ
in the servant before me
serving the bread, the cup
the body and blood of my savior
here in your house, Lord
the quiet of this night
only a few of your faithful gathered
in your presence, facing Christ
sacrament, grace washing over me
humbly, trembling and in awe


October 7, 2009
in preparation for the message I will be giving tonight
in our worship service
after the Our Family’s Table weekly dinner
1 Corinthians 11:23:32
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“When you have received Communion, Have you ever cried?”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/7/09

Hearing These Words

My prayer, for my words
the ancient words of Christ
beginning in that upper room
passed down from the saints
to each believer in turn

Hearing these words differently
personally, a message from God
the words not a ritual,
not rote intoning of the words of Christ

Passion instead, power,
tears welling up, crying at the altar rail
feeling the master before us,
as if in that upper room

His blood dripping down,
pouring down upon us
anointing us, washing us
over our beard, our collar
seared into our very hearts

His body, broken,
seeing his hurt in his eyes
knowing the path he would take
our hands touching his flesh
cupped in our trembling hands

Our eyes rising, after eating the bread,
drinking of the cup
meeting His eyes
a glimpse of his love, his divinity
an expression of our thanks and praise

October 7, 2009
in preparation for the message I will be giving tonight
in our worship service
after the Our Family’s Table weekly dinner
1 Corinthians 11:23:32
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“When you have received Communion, Have you ever cried?”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/7/09

His Blood Spilled

Pausing in my praying
aware of the fragrance of Christ
the smell of his blood
resting upon my hands
His blood spilled
for me, onto me,
marking me, my life
the fragrance of Christ
wash over me


October 7, 2009
inspired from reading the poem below again,
in preparation for the message I will be giving tonight
in our worship service
after the Our Family’s Table weekly dinner
1 Corinthians 11:23:32
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“When you have received Communion, Have you ever cried?”
http://www.suncookumc.org/
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/7/09
----
The Smell of His Blood

Raising the bread from the chalice
the wine splashing
running down my hand
the smell of his blood
as I sat in prayer
after the sharing the
bread and the cup
Tangible, real memory
washing over me,
as the tears ran down my face
The sacrifice of the savior
made real once again,
in the smell of his blood
lingering on my trembling hands.

April 25, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

Sermon - "When you have received Communion, Have you ever cried?", October 7, 2009, by Raymond A. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church

Message 10/7/09
Raymond A. Foss
Worship service after Our Family’s Table

When you have received Communion, Have you ever cried?
The familiar words of scripture, the words of Paul, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, from The Message:

. . .

Pastor Huntley used this scripture for his sermon on Sunday for World Communion Sunday. The universality of Communion, starting in that small upper room, as Pastor Ruth reminded us on Sunday, moving to the ends of the earth, for all these many generations.

How many times have you come to His table? Have you ever come crying?
Paul went on to say in 1 Corinthians 11:27-32,

. . .

How is your heart as you come to this service, as we come to the table tonight. Have you ever come crying?

Have you ever felt that sense of awe, or maybe not feeling worthy, or that moment when you faced Christ at the rail, in the person handing you the bread and the cup?

I remember one time, when Peter Hey at Wesley caught me with the words, the way he lived communion in the service in November 2006:

More than Bread
He brought tears to my eyes,
so quickly this time, because he paused
caught me with the pacing, the cadence
of his words, so rich with meaning,
meaning I treasure, relish, long to understand
“This is More than Bread” he said, holding up
the loaf of fresh-baked bread; “and this is
far more than just grape juice”
He broke the loaf and raised the goblet
intoning our hope in the mystery, the retelling
of the ancient sharing of the sacrifice
of the Christ, God with us, in the flesh
Again, with hushed words, dripping with emotion

And another time, this April, on a Walk to Emmaus weekend, when the grape juice and the bread were on my hands in prayer:

The Smell of His Blood
Raising the bread from the chalice
the wine splashing
running down my hand
the smell of his blood
as I sat in prayer
after the sharing the
bread and the cup
Tangible, real memory
washing over me,
as the tears ran down my face
The sacrifice of the savior
made real once again,
in the smell of his blood
lingering on my trembling hands.

April 25, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

I pray that Communion will be as real, as powerful, as present as has been for me.

Morning Moon

Their big sister, far down the sidewalk
walking purposely around the church
Slightly slower, noticing the bright red
the sugar maple, the azure sky,
the cross of the steeple shining gold
in the morning light
Saying good morning to the blue moon
radiant still in the early morning
not yet lost its luster to the sun
Shimmering white, darker too
not yet ready to leave the sky


October 6, 2009
the conversation with Shyanne and Shanequa
walking this morning
to Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH

"100 Great Web Sites for Poetry Lovers”

Received via email:

http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2009/10/05/100-great-web-sites-for-poetry-lovers/

Sharing Communion with Us

Around Your table Lord
all around the world
sharing communion with us
one body of Christ
brothers and sisters
strangers no more
those hungry physically
all those spiritually searching
members with us
the family of God
One meal,
shared around the world
in communion with God


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

The Words Lived Out

The words of the Lord’s Prayer
of the communion liturgy
the instructions of Paul
revealed, lived out
in the life of the church
the body of Christ alive
Lived out in the simple acts
our worship continuing
in the little loving acts of service
Doing our part, in our time, our place
their daily bread given
our hands living out
God’s loving plan


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

That Eternal Meal

This one eternal meal
the body and the blood
given, shared
one meal, around the world
From that small upper room
through the ages, across the globe
Christ shared, all of us the body
all part of the family of God
sitting down together
all around your table
seeking our daily bread


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Starting in that Small Upper Room

The one loaf, his one life
his body broken for us
the cup, his blood poured out
Starting in that small upper room
the one meal shared, all of us
one body, one family
all around the world


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

They Join Us

Our neighbors, in their own homes
opening food we have donated
their daily bread provided
God acting their our hands
In these acts of sharing
joining us at the one table
one family around the table of the Lord


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Express Your Worship

Express your worship
your praise of the Lord
out into the world
in your daily walk with God
Look out for your brothers
for your sisters in pain or in need
Serve one another
all part of the same family of God
We all share one Father
our brother the Christ
all joining together
around the table of the Lord


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Expressions of Our Worship

In our walks of faith
each one revealed
expressions of our praise, our worship
our living with the word
Little acts of kindness
Caring for our neighbors’ needs
Serving our brothers and our sisters
giving where we are called
Reflecting the love of our Father
Giving Him our all.


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

A Table for the Hungry

A table for the hungry
offered around the clock
in the service of this house
Our church, our work
labors for the Lord
continuing beyond the word
the sharing of the bread, the wine
the body and the blood

Offering more, much more
in service and in love
doing the simple acts
our tithe in time
and caring
for our neighbors
our brothers, our sisters
all around the world


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Give us this day our daily bread

More than a line in prayer,
a call of trust in God
a prayer for our actions
to serve each other
our neighbors
all around the world

All of us coming
to the table of the Lord
all of us needing
his help, his saving word

We join our savior
his teachings to apply
when we offer others
their daily bread
by our loving acts
when we truly share


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

At His Table with Us

We with them and they with us
all of us sharing the one meal
all of us at his table
all around the world

In the water they drink
the food we have helped to buy
The sharing of the tradition
this simple meal
his body, his blood for all

In the sharing of the bread,
in the meal we share in your house
our brothers, our sisters
at his table with us
all of us in his debt


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

More than the Printed Words

More than the Printed Words

The printed words of the liturgy
the sharing of the body, the blood
the bread, the cup together
his offering of love

Only a moment,
not the whole story
not by far, more to tell
about the communion meal

More than the printed words
our lives of faith
sharing the liturgy,
the ancient rite
each hour, each day
in our daily lives

The way we live, as the body of Christ
individually, as a church
Doing the work of God
serving our neighbors
in offering them hope
their daily bread

The prayer our Lord taught us
a call to action in the words
to serve one another
to offer the daily bread
not merely the words


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

We Participate

We participate in communion
in the sharing of the body and the blood
when we are serving our brothers, our sisters
when we are going and caring with love

In the simple tasks, the little things
the daily service of the church
when we buy food, when we wash dishes
we offer a hand, a hope,
a bit of the love of God
to our neighbors,
to the body
all of us together,
one bread, one body
united in love


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Sharing Our Meal

One meal, all around the same table
the daily food of life,
our daily bread
each of us sharing our one meal
Our worship, together
all around the world
in remembrance of the Lord


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

More to the Story

Such much more to the story
than the moment in our worship
the bit of bread, the cup of juice
shared at the altar rail
A history, connection
to that small upper room
A sharing around the world
one meal that we share
A lifetime of service
helping others with their daily bread
the prayer of the Lord
a lesson on how we are led
Our brothers, our sisters
all who are in need
joining is at the one table
his meal, his body
in the breaking of the bread
and the sharing of the cup


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Continuing Worship

A call, a challenge
a truth about this place
continuing our worship
beyond this time and space

Doing the work of a Christian
caring for our neighbors
both near and very far
simple acts of service
out of love for the Lord

Serving in this time
in this place, doing what we can
offering a helping hand
a smile, hope, a bit of bread
to all our brothers, our sisters
our hands, our hearts open
to their cries, their needs
in simple acts of love


October 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Communion Liturgy
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& sermon, “The Ecology of The Lord’s Supper”
& Benediction
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/4/09
World Communion Sunday
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/worldcommunion.htm

Left at the cross

Our troubles, our doubts
all of our sin
all can be laid down
at the foot of the cross
left, no longer carried
chaff cast in the fire
Blameless before God
our stain washed,
removed by his blood
our pain healed
the balm of his tears
our not knowing
what we had done
Able to rise
from our knees
where we had fallen
because he rose.
Serving, going
as we are called
because he promised
to come again


October 3, 2009
“Savior I come, quiet my soul”,
the Gmail message of Isaac Kiiza Tibasiima
10/3/09
His status was from the first verse of the
Hillsong song,
“Lead Me to the Cross”

“La oración de la madre” (traducido de “A Mother’s Prayer” por Raymond A. Foss)

La oración de la madre,
por sus niños, por sus niños,
por un remedio, por la gracia,
por el dolor que ella lleva,
para que sea quitado de sus hombros fatigados,
sus pies cansados, dándose vueltas sobre el piso de la noche,
anhelando el sueño que no vendrá
deseando, siempre, un futuro brillante
para respirar libre, sin carga
pendiente, que la deja agotada,
para ver un cambio, una renovación,
el remendar de las lágrimas,
de las bordes raídas de existencia
de los aspectos interrumpidos,
de los pedazos perdidos de su vida
después de distracciones y cambios,
reproche y distancia.
Un cambio de dirección, sí está cerca,
en el porvenir, ella todavía tiene esperanza
en el Dios quien siempre la ha escuchado,
atendiendo a su petición.



Translation by Gary S. Shogren,
Professor
ESEPA Seminary
www.esepa.org
Universidad Cristiana Internacional ESEPA in San José, Costa Rica

to the cross

Always, ever, may we, may I
follow the path of my savior
to the cross, to that moment of servanthood
to his sacrifice, every present,
ever mindful of that awesome moment
the choice he had to make
whether to choose the father’s will
that cup, bitter as it was
sacrifice though without sin
So unlike me, trembling as I am
aware of my sin,
the price I should pay;
but mindful of his choice
to go
to the cross


October 3, 2009
“Savior I come, quiet my soul”,
the Gmail message of Isaac Kiiza Tibasiima
10/3/09
His status was from the first verse of the
Hillsong song,
“Lead Me to the Cross”

Like the Porch of the Maidens

The row of toothbrushes
their heads, like the Porch of the Maidens
that image of their marvel,
seen so long ago
Sitting in there
on the sink edge, stoic
so like their silent strong sisters
each standing gracefully
serene witnesses
ever so purposely


October 3, 2009
seeing this morning a flash of an
image from my Humanities class
of 1976-1977 in my mind’s eye
seeing the electric toothbrushes
of the girls this morning
in the bathroom -
The Porch of the Maidens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erechtheum

Savior I come, quiet my soul

Savior, my brother,
Jesus, Messiah –
I come before you
my heart troubled,
mind racing, struggling for peace
Quiet my soul, Spirit
speak from deep within
Peace, passing all understanding
Living water, wash over me
fill me, sooth me,
reach my trembling heart
give me your peace, Lord
Give me hands to do your word
Your work, your ministry
Let me be you, Christ
to my neighbor
always yoked to you
Savior, I come to you
Quiet my soul
so I may hear your word
for me alone

October 3, 2009
“Savior I come, quiet my soul”,
the Gmail message of Isaac Kiiza Tibasiima
10/3/09

A Sign of Our Heritage

The old, old boards
chipped, splintered
weathered white
fading to gray
the flame, the cross
the words of our welcome
calling our neighbors
into your house, Oh Lord
a sign of our heritage
of our bond to this place
hoping to see our neighbors
a smile upon their face
in the turning of the seasons
the leaves turning from green to red
our doors open, a community to be fed


October 3, 2009
seeing our faded sign
on the side of the main road in town
announcing our monthly community dinner
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/3/09

Childlike Trust

Complete, utter, childlike trust
vulnerable and dependent
so must we be, to understand his love
his grace, his gift of salvation
No works, nothing we can do
able to bring us back to God
from our darkness, sin
Trust in God alone
taking his guiding hand
following the shepherd
through the valleys, the shadows
into the green fields, still waters
our eternal home


October 2, 2009
Mark 10:2-16
Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for October 1, 2009
and for October 2, 2009,
see quote by David E. Roberts,
Perspectives on page 4
and
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:13-16
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 2, 2009

Absolute Dependence

Like children, vulnerable
unable to help ourselves
the things that truly matter
life, eternal hope
Absolute dependence
on the love, the grace
the saving hand of the creator
the potter, the shepherd
Each of us, like children
needing to believe, as children
childlike trust in God
our treasure alone


October 2, 2009
Mark 10:2-16
Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for October 1, 2009
and for October 2, 2009,
see quote by David E. Roberts,
Perspectives on page 4
and
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:13-16
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 2, 2009

Shine!

Shine, believer, shine
our star, our light
His light, living within our hearts
offering, shining
into the darkness
in this time, in this place
our light only
able to pierce the dark
Day form the lonely night
Hope, love, peace
Shine your light
the creator in you
Lighting the darkness.


October 1, 2009
Esther 4:14
and Day 48, “For Such a Time as This”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Our Spiritual Thirst

His offer of living waters
quenching, eternally
our spiritual thirst
Growing as if a tree
by streams of the waters
No longer parched, barren
lush, bearing much fruit
Our souls singing
our vessels, our cups
overflowing with God’s love
poured out
a blessing for our world


October 1, 2009
John 4:1-15
Isaiah 55:1
and Upper Room daily devotional for 10/1/09
“Come to the Water”, by Jo Sherard
http://upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=1&year=2009&x=103&y=11

In this Land of Plenty

In this land of plenty
no one should know hunger or fear
none should be without
the care they dearly need

We are our brothers’, our sisters’ keepers
their neighbors on this earth
we share the same human birth
our trials just the same

Our ways are made more gentle
our paths made more straight
when we each stop and help our neighbor
a good Samaritan’s hand offered
when no one is watching at all

All of us the same
no one better or worse
all called to follow
the master’s message
his command

To love one another
as we would choose to be loved
to help each other
to offer comfort to our neighbors
as we would hope they would do

All should be covered
no insurance withheld
all of our brothers, our sisters
worthy of healthcare
whenever they are in need


September 30, 2009
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Societyand
Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink

A Nudge from God

An unwelcome message,
an uncomfortable word to share
so was the nudge I am feeling from God
Speaking to me, from my mind
something to share
to fight against injustice
our sin in this land of plenty
that there would be people
sick and without hope
Christian voices
yours and my own
need to join the chorus
following our master’s call
healing those who are sick
Good Samaritans we should be
loving them as we love ourselves
all to be given peace
even in their hospital bed


September 30, 2009
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpracticeBy Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Societyand
Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink

Abiding Joy

Deep, everlasting
abiding joy in the Lord
this is our strength
our protection from harms
the struggles of our days
this walk here on earth
Challenges will come
times will be hard
but we will have peace
our hope, our joy in the Lord


September 30, 2009
Nehemiah 8:10
and Day 47, “Joy of the Lord”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepyhttp://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Out of Our Joy

A different perspective, facing the day
out of our joy hopeful
conscious of the grace of God
walking with me
Facing the cares, the work I must do
hearing your voice speaking to me
Finding comfort in your word
the scriptures from of old
your laws, your truths, your wisdom speak
give me strength for your victory


September 30, 2009
Nehemiah 8:10
and Day 47, “Joy of the Lord”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Down from His Throne

Descended from heaven
down from his throne
born as a baby,
wrapped in swaddling clothes
to walk as one of us
A carpenter’s son
working with his hands
A shepherd’s son
walking the land
Bringing the lost
to the fields of the Lord
Dying so that we may live
returning to his throne


September 30, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Hebrews 2:5-12
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for September 30, 2009

Our Brother

The king, our savior
our brother down to earth
walking as we do
in the dust and dirt
Hearing the same messages
the same temptations as us
Choosing to follow the master
total reliance in God
Needing the master,
his rod and his staff
Finding strength in his worship
in his preaching and in his prayers
Walking the road to Calvary
whips and the cross to bear
A human dying for all of our lives
so we would find comfort there
In heaven we may claim a room
mansions in the fields
walking with our brother once more
in our eternal home


September 30, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Hebrews 2:5-12
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for September 30, 2009

A Human Life

God, the word
from whom all things flowed
all created by his hand
Spirit, breath of life
Down from on high
to walk a human life
Redeemed by his sacrifice
raised to his lofty height
our brother, our savior
calling us home to the Lord


September 30, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Hebrews 2:5-12
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for September 30, 2009

Absolute Reliance

As a human, our brother
down from his heavenly throne
walking in our steps
on this mortal coil
Tempted and challenged
as are you and I
able to withstand, to stay holy
by absolute reliance on God
The same life we lead
that is why he can save
understanding our world
and choosing the cross
rather than riches and fame


September 30, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Hebrews 2:5-12
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for September 30, 2009

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.

Seek God in Solitude

Following the steps of our master
our brother, our savior
taking time, away,
apart from other
in fellowship with our God

Spending time in the word
in the scriptures written long ago
listening for a message
his still small voice speaking
across time, space
speaking to my willing heart


September 30, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Hebrews 2:5-12
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for September 30, 2009

A Healthcare Question for all Christians

How can we love our neighbors as ourselves but be okay that anyone is without health insurance or health care when they are sick?

every step counted every hair numbered

Assurance of God, of our protection
the mighty plan for our lives
remarkably, wondrously made
every step counted, every hair numbered
the course of our lives known
under the staff, the rod,
the watchful eye of the shepherd
created by the potter, a worthy vessel
Love poured in, long before we are born
our lives knitted with the master
the breath of God within us
the spirit indwelling
How awesome is that!


September 29, 2009

Hope in the Water

Something so simple
never thought about
taken for granted

Our troubles
our issue so small
compared to so many
around this troubled world

Hope in the water, in the efforts
clean water, for their bodies
for their lives, their spirits
filling with the loving water


September 29, 2009
CROP Walk and Church World Service
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=crop_main
http://www.churchworldservice.org/

In the cacophony of human lives

In the cacophony of human lives
so many stimuli, so much information
drowning us, polluted waters, our daily grind
dots and dashes, a blizzard
noise deafening
Needing the quiet, the stillness
sabbath rest, away from the world
entering into a place, a spirit
able to listen for, to hear the voice of God
living waters, pouring down
washing over us,
quenching our thirst


September 28, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)
and
Romans 12:9-13
Psalm 92:1-4
Exodus 18:13-24
& sermon, “Don’t Do This Alone”
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/20/09
and
Romans 5:1-12
Romans 5:1-5
Jeremiah 2:1-13
Jeremiah 2:13
Call to Worship
Unison Prayer
& sermon, “Human Limitations and Unlimited Grace”
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/13/09

How will we ever hear a whisper?

In the cacophony of human lives
the chatter, the rapid speaking
shouting over one another
How will we ever hear a whisper
the still small voice of the Lord,
God speaking within us,
The Spirit, the very breath of God
indwelling within our hurried hearts
Listening, for guidance, discernment
perceiving the presence of God
Walking with us, speaking in the breeze
in the flash of the fall colors
in the whispers, the murmurs
Listen servants, friends,
God is speaking.


September 28, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

Sermon - "Whose Rule Is It?", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH 09/27/09

(Word of God Speak)

Read Scripture:
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The Lord Be with You

And also with you

Let us pray:

Our Loving and Gracious God, giver of all knowledge, Lord Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Friend, we pray this day for your Spirit to fall down upon us gather here. We pray for your wisdom and discernment as we hear the Word you have for us today. May your words speak to us in ways that we never imagined, so that we may have a better understanding of what you would have us do. Word of God Speak…your sons and daughters are listening…

Rituals…we all have them. Rituals on how we do things, how we think, how we speak, how we clean or cook…they are how we live our lives. I was reading in the paper the other day about an ancient Jewish ritual called “Kaparot”, which means atonement, it is done just before Yom Kippur. During this ritual, some take a chicken, the men use roosters while the women use a hen, and they move it around there head three times, symbolically transferring ones sins to the chicken. (now I don’t know about you but I don’t think I would really want to swing a chicken over my head but if I was of this tradition I am sure that I would) Then they slaughter or donate the animal to the poor and it is preferably eaten at the pre-Yom Kippur feast. Why are there so many rituals and whose rituals are they, are they God’s or men? It can be so hard to figure that one out.

We as Christians have our own set of “rituals”. We have rituals around Communion, we have our rituals around becoming a member of our churches, and we have rituals around how we do things in the church and so on. But there is one thing, one ritual so to speak that we have that I have been thinking a lot about. Now I don’t really want to call it a ritual or a discipline because those words have a negative connotation for some, I would rather call it a practice (much because we are always trying to practice it), or a way of life. It is the practice around Sabbath or should I say “Sabbath Time.” How many of you have a hard time with practice, a hard time to be able to slow yourself down and spend time with God? We are all so busy that we can get into the habit of not renewing our soul by spending time with the One who is the source of our strength. “Tradition” tells us that we are to spend a day of rest from all of our work and spend the whole day spending time with God and the gifts that he has bestowed upon us. A day when we spend time with family and friends enjoying their company and praising god for the opportunity to be able to do so, a time spent with the people that god has put in our lives, these gifts from God.

Well…I don’t know about you but I am a Martha. Always running around, having so much to do and so little time to do it. I long to be more like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet and learning from the Teacher. (As a matter of fact, some of us women are reading a book called “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” in order to try and learn how to be a little bit more like Mary) Well… this whole thing about learning about Sabbath Time got me to thinking. What is Sabbath Time? What do you do during this time? What does it mean to spend time with God and how long do I have to do it in order to honor the Sabbath? How can I get the peace that is found in Sabbath, because if you’re like me, you need to find a little peace in your life. Well…I have been reading books on the Sabbath trying to figure this all out.

In Keri Wyatt Kent’s book “Rest…Living in Sabbath Simplicity”, she states that “Sabbath allows us to rest, to reconnect with our faith and each other, and to revise the very order of our lives. It invites us to pause, to play, and to pray.” She sees it as an opportunity to focus her energy on what Jesus says are the two most important commandments: to love God and to love others. But…this Sabbath keeping, this Sabbath time is a spiritual practice (notice how I said practice…it is something that we need to find what works best for us. It’s not a “Cookie Cutter” thing. It’s a practice of being in the presence of God and being the presence of God). It is a way to encounter God in a whole new way…it is not something we need to institute but something that is simply practiced and we can invite others to practice with us. You see…Sabbath is a relational thing.

There are so many rules around the Sabbath. But…Jesus tells the Pharisees in Mark 2:27 that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. You see…the Sabbath was made so that man could slow him or herself down and worship and thank god for all that God has done, is doing or will ever do in their lives. God created humankind first then blessed the seventh day and made it holy. You see (and now this is my interpretation)…God created and made that day holy because God enjoyed, and still does, our “company”, God did walk in the cool of the night and conversed with Adam and Eve. But as time went on, humankind forgot about spending time with God, they forgot about who it was who created them and provided for them. So in the “Big 10” God gave rules about how one should “observe the Sabbath.” But even then, humankind put more rules on top of it. They decided that on the Sabbath you couldn’t do anything that was considered work. They even rebuked Jesus for healing on the Sabbath or even picking a few grains of wheat for him and his disciples. (Boy did they have it wrong…why do we feel the need to add to what is already set in place? Why do we, as the human race, feel that we need to change things for our own pleasure or thoughts instead of what God intended it to be)

So…the question I posed was “how can we slow ourselves down and take that Sabbath time and how can I put this practice into my life”? Well…here is my theory…Sabbath Time is a time of thankfulness to God…at time when we think of others instead of ourselves…a time when we spend time with loved ones being in the moment and not thinking about our own agendas and making our lists in our minds of all the things we have to do. Well…why can’t we have Sabbath time where ever we are…why can’t we live Sabbath time our whole day? For instance…the other day I was driving in my car, listening to Christian music (I mean really listening to it…listening to the words, the message, it had to say) and I found myself thanking God for all he has done, sing praises to God, praying to God about prayer concerns that I knew one of my “Vegas Soul Sisters” has and all of the sudden I had that “peace that goes beyond all understanding.” It was if God was sitting in the passenger’s seat…with me there, in that very moment. To me…that was Sabbath Time, a Sabbath moment with God. And there have been many other times when I have done this and receive that peace. It is breathe taking and awesome! To commune with God on that level! There have been times that this practice for me has brought me to my knees in praise and adoration. Isn’t this what Sabbath is supposed to be like? This is something that I can do while work on…practice…my Sabbath time. This is a concrete way that I can take time…no matter how long or short it may be…to be in the presence of God.

The Buddhist have a different name of this peace…it’s called Nirvana. It is when they let go of all…let go of their problems…let go of their fears…a total abandonment. When they have done this…the peace they feel is called Nirvana. We are all so busy with our lives and our days are so full that there are times when we cry out to God “enough…I can’t do this anymore…I need you....I need your peace, I need to feel your love, I need your presence, HELP ME!” and it is when we come to this point and hit our knees that we receive a peace…Nirvana, a taste of heaven in our life. How much more peaceful do you think our lives would be if we would just practice Sabbath moments with God as we work our way towards a Sabbath day with Him (and we may never achieve that but what we do need is to be able to connect and renew our lives.) . Lord…renew our minds and revitalize us so that we may do your will in the world…the things you have called us to do.

Sabbath…it is a “day” of rest and worship but we can also practice Sabbath Moments with God to help us along the way. We are all working towards perfection in our lives but we also need to have that time to remember the perfector of our faith, times with the Creator of all things. We need to practice a little Mary in our lives to sustain us through life and the trials it may bring. Beloved, are you feeling that you are on overload, are you feeling empty and thirsty for something that you can’t put your finger on? Come to the well and drink. You may not be at that point in your life that you can stay and drink fully but you can have a cup of that living water throughout your day and be replenished for the journey ahead. Taste and see that the Lord is good and waiting with the cup of love, strength, and compassion for you moment by moment.

AMEN.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)

& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/09/sermon-whose-rule-is-it-by-pastor-ruth.html

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

9/27/09

and

Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,930+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In the Presence of Grace

Trying to describe the sabbath day
the worship this day,
in the presence of grace
the spirit dancing with us
moving through the sanctuary
in the hearts of the congregation
in the movement, the words
the lessons for the day
Sabbath worship, special
noticeable, different
in the presence of grace
this sabbath day


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

In Sabbath Worship

Sabbath time, with the presence of God
gracing our worship this sabbath morn’
separate, time set apart
feeling God’s loving hand
in all that took place
Singing, dancing
teaching moments too
God moving among us
reaching me, reaching you
A blessing of the morning
in this place set apart
Sacred ground,
blessed this day
with the presence of the Lord


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

A Time for Thankfulness

For all that God has done
in the world and in our lives
a time for thankfulness
in sabbath time and rest
Remembering the hand of God
that created all that is
that saved us with his loving kiss
Bringing reconciliation
through our savior’s life
our lives redeemed from sin
Nothing beyond the Lord
no part of our life unknown
A time for thankfulness
in walking with the Lord
Sensing the hand of God
in each step of our lives
Thankful for all that is
and all the days to come


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

Pause, to play and to pray

The gift of sabbath rest
in moments or a day
spending time away from the world
to pause, to play and to pray
God knows the human heart
the need to rest and renew
Offering a day of rest
for me and for you
Remembering all he did
in creating the world
Knowing in our hearts
he’s walking next to you
In moments of grace
feeling his loving hand
Walking with the Lord
on our earthly path
Spreading the love of God
wherever we may go
Setting time apart
in worship, in time in the word
with family and with friends
all gifts from the Lord


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

Stop and Remember

God’s commandment
to pause and sit at his feet
To remember and to linger
to think about the creator’s feat
The world and all that is in it
by his hands came into being
Our cares, our worries
nothing God cannot resolve
if we bring them to him in prayer
The words of his scripture
the story of God’s love
stopping to read and remember
our lives within his hands
In sabbath moments
stilling our troubled lives
reaching for the savior’s hands
finding the spirit within our hearts


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

Thanking God

In this moment, in the sabbath rest
thanking God for all that is
for all that is to come
Centering our lives
at the master’s feet
Calling on the Lord, our God
to guide our wayward feet
Spending time apart
away from cares of the world
Drinking in the living waters
sharing God’s love
to all those we meet


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org/
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

Slowing Down

Slowing down, my pace, my mind
entering into the presence of the Lord
Setting time apart, away from the crazy world
joining in worship, spending moments in the word
Seeking the grace of God
trembling at the power of his hand
Stopping my human desires
the cares that cloud my day
Finding my God, my friend
when I slow and seek his face


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

Sabbath Moments

Sabbath moments
bit of sacred times
within the walk of our lives
the seconds, the moments
the times when we sense the presence of God
setting time apart
of falling at his feet
perceiving the gifts of God
and when to stop and heed
the call for our lives
sitting at the master’s feet
drinking in the word
finding times to share his love
being messengers of his word


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

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 30,570+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In Their Own Ways

Not bound by rule, tradition
the deeper truths, our beliefs
those working in the fields
serving in their own ways
All who act in love,
who act in his holy name
All are part of the family


September 27, 2009
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)
& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/27/09
and
Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)
and
Mark 9:38-41
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-21-27/
Alive Now Daily Reflection for September 27, 2009
and
Mark 9:38-42
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for September 26, 2009

Living in Sabbath Time

Our whole days, in every moment
living in sabbath time
Conscious of God’s presence
and of God’s provision
All that has been created,
all that we need
beyond our imagination
already made, available
Spending time in his creation
feeling God’s grace
the outpouring of His love
time with our family
worshipping the Lord

further edits February 27, 2012

Living in Sabbath Time – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/living-in-sabbath-time-v3.html

after “Living in Sabbath Time – v2”

got over 25 page views

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/living-in-sabbath-time-v2.html

edited February 25, 2012

changing the spelling from “worshipped” to “worshiped”,

because Blogger and Twitter said “worshipped” is a misspelling.

&

September 27, 2009

Living in Sabbath Time

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/09/living-in-sabbath-time.html

edited December 5, 2014

Walking with God Time – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/walking-with-god-time-v3.html

edited March 31, 2014

Walking with God Time – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/walking-with-god-time-v2.html

September 26, 2009

Walking with God Time

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/09/walking-with-god-time.html

&

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Psalm 46:1-3 (Call to Worship)

& sermon, “Whose Rule Is It?”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/09/sermon-whose-rule-is-it-by-pastor-ruth.html

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

9/27/09

and

Exodus 20:8-11 (Ten Commandments: Sabbath)

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,930+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.