Saturday, October 31, 2015

seeds of hope - 2

seeds of hope
from our stones of bitterness
transforming our journey
to a harvest fro God
seeds of hope
growing through the struggle
a harvest coming
in God’s good time

------
October 31, 2015
seeds of hope - 2

October 31, 2015
pain and loss
October 31, 2015
painful seed
Ruth 1:1-5
Ruth 1:1-18
quotation: “O memory of a painful time, are you seed or stone?”
from poem, “Healing Harvest”
page xi
Healing Life's Hurts: Healing Memories Through Five Stages of Forgiveness
By Matthew Linn, Dennis Linn
prayer; “We pray that you will find every day of that painful time
to be seed that produces the harvest of the Spirit.”
devotion for October 26, 2015
read October 26, 2015
&
 “Seed or Stone”
for October 26, 2015 to October 31, 2015
by Roger Scholz
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,910+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

pain and loss

pain and loss
only the beginning
seed planted in hearts
the soil of our journey
pain and loss
painful seed of toil
of our struggles here on earth
before our heavenly home.

------
October 31, 2015
pain and loss

October 31, 2015
painful seed
Ruth 1:1-5
Ruth 1:1-18
quotation: “O memory of a painful time, are you seed or stone?”
from poem, “Healing Harvest”
page xi
Healing Life's Hurts: Healing Memories Through Five Stages of Forgiveness
By Matthew Linn, Dennis Linn
prayer; “We pray that you will find every day of that painful time
to be seed that produces the harvest of the Spirit.”
devotion for October 26, 2015
read October 26, 2015
&
 “Seed or Stone”
for October 26, 2015 to October 31, 2015
by Roger Scholz
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,910+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

painful seed

hope for a harvest
in fruit of the Spirit
the struggles, our trials
painful seed in life
trust in the Maker
in our loving Savior
life from the struggle
the painful seed

------
October 31, 2015
painful seed

Ruth 1:1-5
Ruth 1:1-18
quotation: “O memory of a painful time, are you seed or stone?”
from poem, “Healing Harvest”
page xi
Healing Life's Hurts: Healing Memories Through Five Stages of Forgiveness
By Matthew Linn, Dennis Linn
prayer; “We pray that you will find every day of that painful time
to be seed that produces the harvest of the Spirit.”
devotion for October 26, 2015
read October 26, 2015
&
 “Seed or Stone”
for October 26, 2015 to October 31, 2015
by Roger Scholz
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,910+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Changing the World – v5

For only in these words, of Jesus,
of the one who would go to the cross
are we able to change the world
replacing hatred and war,
with love, forgiveness, and peace

Something so simple, so hard to do
to be faithful to the Spirit,
all within us; able only,
with the help of that Spirit
living inside each one of us

We are to act in the world,
to see the world, this earth,
as the world is seen by the Creator
all of us are sinners, yet all of us worthy
of His love, of His saving, of His amazing grace.

We are to be like Christ,
if we are to follow His example;
We must let go of our hate and our anger
and love our neighbors, everyone
because all of us children of God

=============
edited October 31, 2015
Changing the World – v5

(editing original)
edited February 2, 2015
Changing the World – v4
(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)
edited January 20, 2015
Changing the World – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 21, 2013
Changing the World – v2
January 18, 2009
Changing the World
edited January 20, 2015
Power in His Words – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Fighting Evil – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Love Liberates – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
The Power of His Words – v3
edited January 20, 2015
Living Christ’s Words – v3
edited January 20, 2015
Not Words of Weakness – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Hatred – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Radical Words – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Understanding this moment – v3
edited January 20, 2015
Forty Years – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Seeing Joshua – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Choosing the Cross – v3
(editing original again)
 edited January 20, 2015
Before Martin – v3
edited January 20, 2015
Echoes of the Desert – v4
(editing version 1 again)
edited April 8, 2014
Echoes of the Desert – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
In His Ministry – v3
(editing version 1 again)
edited January 20, 2015
The Question – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
Always Torture – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
The Hills of Zion – v3
(editing version 1 again)
edited January 20, 2015
Is He Joshua – v3
(edited version 1 again)
edited January 20, 2015
Lofty Words – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2015
understanding a moment – v3
(editing version 1 again)
edited January 20, 2015
Words in Quotes – v3
(editing version 1 again)
edited January 20, 2015
Words that Bind – v3
(editing version 1 again)
edited January 20, 2015
Words chosen for a nation – v3
(editing version 1 again)
&
edited January 21, 2013
Power in His Words – v2
edited January 21, 2013
Fighting Evil – v2
edited January 21, 2013
Love Liberates – v2
edited January 21, 2013
The Power of His Words – v2
edited January 21, 2013
Living Christ’s Words – v2
edited January 21, 2013
Not Words of Weakness – v2
January 21, 2013
Hatred – v2
January 21, 2013
Radical Words – v2
edited January 21, 2013
Understanding this moment – v2
January 21, 2013
Forty Years – v2
January 21, 2013
Seeing Joshua – v2
January 21, 2013
Choosing the Cross – v2
January 21, 2013
Before Martin – v2
January 21, 2013
Echoes of the Desert – v2
January 21, 2013
In His Ministry – v2
January 21, 2013
The Question – v2
January 21, 2013
Always Torture – v2
January 21, 2013
The Hills of Zion – v2
January 21, 2013
Is He Joshua – v2
January 21, 2013
Lofty Words – v2
January 21, 2013
understanding a moment – v2
January 21, 2013
Words in Quotes – v2
January 21, 2013
Words that Bind – v2
January 21, 2013
Words chosen for a nation – v2
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
and his final speech before his assassination
and Inauguration of the President
Barack Hussein Obama
Invocation
by Myrlie Evers-Williams
Inaugural Address
&
several poems written in 2009
on the juxtaposition of the
80th birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
and the inauguration of Barack Obama
as President of the United States of America
January 17, 2009
understanding a moment
January 17, 2009
Words in Quotes
January 17, 2009
Words chosen for a nation
January 17, 2009
Words that Bind
and the Presidential Oath, from the
US Constitution, Article I, Section 1, Clause 8,
repeated verbatim by the presidents. The only language in quotes
in the Constitution, unlike the general principles elsewhere.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
execute the office of President of the United States,
and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States."
January 18, 2009
Lofty Words
January 18, 2009
Is He Joshua
January 18, 2009
The Hills of Zion
January 18, 2009
Always Torture
January 18, 2009
The Question
January 18, 2009
In His Ministry
January 18, 2009
Echoes of the Desert
January 18, 2009
Before Martin
January 18, 2009
Choosing the Cross
January 18, 2009
Seeing Joshua
January 18, 2009
Forty Years
January 18, 2009
Understanding this moment
January 18, 2009
Radical Words
January 18, 2009
Hatred
January 18, 2009
Not Words of Weakness
January 18, 2009
Living Christ’s Words
January 18, 2009
The Power of His Words
January 18, 2009
Love Liberates
January 18, 2009
Fighting Evil
January 18, 2009
Power in His Words
&
the message, “It’s not just a dream but a reality”
on the sign in front of church,
the story of Moses and Joshua,
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Joshua 1:1-9
along with
Micah 4:1-4
Matthew 5:43-48
the sermon, “Love Your Who???”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH,
and the hypothetical put to Eric Holder, nominee for Attorney General,
by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on the use of waterboarding,
January 15, 2009, during his Senate Confirmation Hearings,
&
edited January 19, 2015
Changing the Wind – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
Edited July 22, 2013
“changing the wind – v2”
December 7, 2007
“changing the wind”
Based on the comments of Jim Wallis on
Speaking of Faith, November 29, 2007
He was talking about whether to change politicians
or change the wind, to change the public opinion
which guides politics. He used the example
of President Johnson’s statement to the
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that it would
take 5 years for a voting rights bill but
it actually took 5 months to pass the Voting Rights Act,
after the March in Selma.

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 39,910+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Inking God in

Inking God in
an essential appointment
making time for sitting
at the Creator’s feet

Not squeezing God in
into my busy schedule
some scrap, some moment
when I can

Inking God in
making God a priority
a discipline each day
to ground my walk

=====
October 30, 2015
Inking God in

Jon 15:4a (NRSV)
“The Definition of Busy”
by Megan Christy
&
“Reflect”
by Alina Kanaski
devotion for October 26, 2015
read October 26, 2015
&
 “+the busy trap”
October 26, 2015, 2015 to October 31, 2015
Devozine for September and October 2015
&
Youth Group
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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 39,910+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

speaking to the deaf – v2

Speaking to the deaf
their ears opened
those outside the walls
God’s Chosen People

Sharing the message
to all who would hear it
opening a way through
for all to enter in

------
edited October 30, 2015
speaking to the deaf – v2

September 4, 2015
speaking to the deaf
Mark 7:31-37
“Jesus Heals a Deaf Man”
Mark 7:24-37
devotion for September 4, 2015
read September 4, 2015
&
Mark 7:24-30
crumbs for the dogs
Mark 7:24-37
devotion for September 3, 2015
read September 3, 2015
&
Psalm 125
devotion for September 2, 2015
read September 2, 2015
&
Proverbs 22:22-23
devotion for September 1, 2015
read September 2, 2015
&
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
devotion for August 30, 2015
read August 31, 2015
&
 “A Share in the Household of God”
for August 31, 2015 to September 6, 2015
by Elaine Eberhart
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,910+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the light, a flickering candle – v2

the light, a flickering candle,
yet a spark within me
the Spirit of God;
a light, the fire kindled,
a light, a flickering candle,
burning in the darkness.
The kernel of God within us
a living piece of eternity.

=====
edited October 30, 2015
the light, a flickering candle – v2

April 9, 2015
the light a flickering candle
March 29, 2015 to April 5, 2015
“+looking for light”
Devozine for March and April 2015
&
Psalm 139:11-12
devotion “Shine on Me”
devotion by Elizabeth Leumann
and devotion “Call out to God”
devotion by Adrian Agachi
devotion for April 3, 2015
Good Friday
read April 3, 2015
&
Psalm 42:5a (NRSV)
devotion “The Darkness of Depression”
devotion by Kate Underwood
and devotion “Hear the Good News”
devotion by Wesley Overhults
devotion for April 2, 2015
read April 3, 2015
&
Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
devotion “Living in Darkness”
devotion by Jacqueline Fritz
and poem
by Aidan Gscheidle
devotion for April 1, 2015
read April 3, 2015
&
John 13:1-7
devotion “Grief and Anger”
devotion by Lawson Reeves
and poem, “Trust in God”
by Emily Odhiambo
devotion for March 31, 2015
read March 31, 2015
&
Youth Group
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

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 39,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God’s silence – v2

God’s silence in response
to our cries, “why?”,
“How can this be?”
The darkness folding around us
when we cannot sense God

God’s silence spins webs
as we seek to understand
the “whys”, the struggles,
in the journey of man
in the days of our lives

------
edited October 30, 2015
God’s silence – v2

October 18, 2015
God’s silence
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Job 23:1-17
“Job Answers” (NCV)
devotion for October 5, 2015
read October 6, 2015
&
“Trusting God in the Land of Emptiness”
for October 5, 2015 to October 11, 2015
by J.R. Daniel Kirk
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Beneficial – v8

God’s offer of grace
releasing us from the Law
all permissible, allowed
by our choice, our will;
But not all is beneficial
for the raising up of the Body
for the People of Christ,
The Flock of the Shepherd
to prepare for Paradise

==============
edited October 30, 2015
Beneficial – v8

(editing original)
edited June 30, 2015
Beneficial – v7
(editing original again)
edited April 11, 2015
Beneficial – v6
(editing original again)
edited February 16, 2015
Beneficial – v5
(merging edits to original and version 3)
drafted February 11, 2015
edited February 10, 2015
Beneficial – v4
(merging edits to original and version 3)
edited January 23, 2015
Beneficial – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited November 12, 2014
Beneficial – v2
July 30, 2011
Beneficial
1 Corinthians 10:23
1 Corinthians 8, 1 Corinthians 9, 1 Corinthians 10
90 day New Testament Bible Study
read July 30, 2011

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 39,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.