Poetry Where You Live

Wet Ivy

2009-07-11T08:02:00.000-04:00

Deep into summer
July green sky,
dark clouds late afternoon
wet ivy under the canopy
up the two-story elm
clinging, climbing
wet, deep forest green
jarring my eyes
tropical
banana leaves
in the lush rainforest
exotic, wet ivy

July 9, 2009 and July 10, 2009
July 8, 2009 on Pembroke Street,
near the intersection of Pembroke and Broadway,
Pembroke, NH

The Shack - permission received

2009-07-09T19:04:00.006-04:00

I received permission today from the author to reference The Shack in poems inspired by this wonderful book.

The Shack

Prayer received in email this morning 07/09/09

2009-07-09T08:33:00.003-04:00

Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are
a forgiving God and
an understanding God.
You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
to clear my mind so that I can hear from You..
Please broaden my mind
that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper
over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response
when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged
and misunderstood.
I pray for those who
don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that will delete this
without sharing it with others
I pray for those that don't believe..

But I thank You that I believe
that God changes people and
God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes; that they are out of debt
and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received
into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
Amen!

seeds in the dust

2009-07-08T08:33:00.002-04:00

in the dust they would kick off
in the places rejected
seeds in the dust
waiting for water to grow
no place unworthy
no one without promise
all are welcome,
who come to believe
so in the dust they would kick off
a hope for a future
when those who would not listen
come to believe

July 8, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

the dust off their feet

2009-07-08T08:32:00.002-04:00

sent, these disciples,
missionaries to the people
to evangelize, to spread the good news
to care and to heal, in His holy name
sent as you and I, to preach to the people
to share the love of God
and the story of his Son
casting the dust off their feet
for those who would not welcome
a warning, a blessing,
in the seeds left behind
We too, in this dark world
dust we must carry
on the journey in mission
we too must follow
going out into the world
with his grace and his message
offering love to our neighbors
even when they are not willing
to listen to us

July 8, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

Less War

2009-07-06T07:58:00.001-04:00

Imagining a different world,
less war than we know
less hate for those different from us
more love, for all peoples
each man, woman, each child
following the example
of our brother, the Son

Love as our guide,
the nature of God
bringing all to him
all that we can

Walking as he walked
humbly on the earth
telling our neighbors
of the wonders of his birth

Bringing his message
of redemption from our sin
loving our neighbors
as he told us to
his mark upon our sin

Turning our lives
from our wills
to the voice of God
the Spirit dwelling deep
within our loving hearts

July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Less Greed

2009-07-06T07:54:00.000-04:00

Changing our focus, the nature of our ways
less greed, more compassion, more sharing
for all whom we meet, for all in the world
caring for our brothers, our sisters
as our savior showed us
turning our lives
over to God
Walking with our brother
who gave his life for us
serving in His name
so all would be free
A message of hope
of freedom from our sin
life eternal if we but follow him

July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

A Free Life

2009-07-06T07:45:00.000-04:00

What we are offered
a free life, a gift of grace
given by our creator
the price paid by the savior
ours for the taking
in an act of faith
A free life, free from sin
free from the judgment of death
to live and walk humbly
in love with our neighbors
sharing the grace, the good news
the redemption of God
Following the example
of our savior, our brother
seeking to aid and to comfort
to walk in the light
Guided by the Spirit
our path not our own

July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Animated by God’s Spirit

2009-07-06T07:38:00.000-04:00

Our lives changes, forever
turning from ourselves, from our choosing
moving, animated by God’s Spirit
to see God’s plan, our path turning
from the world to our savior
to his loving example
giving his life over
to the will of God
walking as a servant
sacrificing himself
that we may live
A loving response,
in our offering in return
for the grace heaped upon us
the rising from the waters with him
up into the light of God
living, moving through our days
animated by God’s Spirit
living within us

July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Fighting for Freedom

2009-07-06T07:34:00.000-04:00

In the words of the weekend
the scripture, the words so long ago
the reminders of our friends as a nation
as a people of faith
granted freedom by the choices
by the giving of grace
Fighting for freedoms
that freedom may grow
inalienable, a God-given right
still to this day
around the globe
people yearning to be free
Part of our choices,
to fight with them
so that one day,
all will enjoy
that which we hold dear
freedoms from oppression
freedoms of the Spirit
free indeed

July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

How Freedom Grows

2009-07-05T21:40:00.000-04:00

By loving one another
following in his footsteps
guided by His example,
by the indwelling Spirit
this is how freedom grows
In the hearts of the faithful
acting out in love
touching the hearts of another
planting seeds from above

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Living by the Spirit

2009-07-05T21:31:00.000-04:00

Our choice, to live by our wills
the world’s ways, or
to live by the Spirit
guiding our path

Teaching us to walk,
as the Lord showed
as he lived, loving all
caring for the least, the last, the lost
making the way easier
for all who believed

We may walk in the light
beside our savior
showing love to our neighbors
as he has commanded
Living by his example
his model for our journey
all the days of our lives

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

A Battle of Living

2009-07-05T21:03:00.000-04:00

Ways of living, at odds
opposed to one another
no compromise, no living together
We are free; but we must choose
One way to the cross,
one way to the grave
One way to love
one way to greed and hate
One way to grace
one way to condemnation of the law
One way of hope
one way of despair.
Free to choose, one and all
to follow the master
or our own will
no compromise,
no living together.

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Less Suffering

2009-07-05T20:58:00.000-04:00

We may choose, lift up others
go where there is need
bring hope, less suffering
around the world, our nation
the freedom we have
able, abundance,
riches heaped upon us
able to give
able to provide
to love as Christ showed us
to reach to those who are in need
to lift up one another
to provide hope
to a world desperate for healing

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

A Different Way to Live

2009-07-05T20:51:00.000-04:00

A calling of the apostle
in the words to the church
a different way of living
not conformed to this earth

Guided by the Spirit
away from the sins of man
walking with our savior
on this journey, hand in hand

Following a different direction
love of our neighbor our call
serving one another
giving to them our all

Leading us to services
our hands to help them all
healing, caring, loving our brothers
our sisters, so is the master’s call

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

As Joshua Said

2009-07-05T20:47:00.000-04:00

The scripture, the message to the church
to each disciple, then and now,
the words of the apostle,
calling each of us
making a choice
A choice to follow the world
to find fulfillment in its standards
Or to say as Joshua said,
aligning our lives
to the service of God
to the will of the father
over the desires of his self
To love our neighbors
selfless service as our guide
to share the good news
our brother at our side

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Joshua 24:15
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Radical Living

2009-07-05T20:43:00.000-04:00

Not subtle changes,
we are not able
to move back and forth
radical living, choosing one path or the other
the way of the world
to the victor the spoils;
or the way of the servant
the way of love,
of humbly walking with our neighbor,
yoked to our brother;
to walk in darkness,
or to walk in the light;
By our own will
or the will of God.

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Advantages like Me

2009-07-05T20:38:00.000-04:00

Before the chancel, the pulpit,
in the front of the nave,
preaching a message of love
of the freedom to love
the choice we enjoy
as children of God
as citizens of this land
a different way of living
calling to us
not worldly goals; but freedoms
of the Spirit, of the claim
the will of God for our lives

She offered her witness,
the reading of his letter
on the choices we safe
in the freedom of Christ
as a people, as individuals
to follow the world
or to follow the Spirit
the choice is ours
mutually exclusive,
one way or the other.

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Matthew 5:3-12
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Choices of Living

2009-07-05T20:32:00.000-04:00

One way or another
choices of living
of which master we will follow
of what we will hold dear

To follow the earth, our worldly desires
or to follow our king, who offered his all.
To love as he commanded, to walk in the Spirit
or to walk in the darkness of our own sin

Such are the choices,
the freedom we’re given
by the sacrifice of our Savior
by the grace of our God

Our for the choosing
the path of our futures
his for the judging
at the end of the age

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

A Voice of Truth

2009-07-05T20:28:00.000-04:00

In the message, the letter
A mirror raised up
the reality before us
our choices of life
the way of the freedoms we share
the choices we are able to make
A prophet, a gadfly
telling the truth
of the left and the right
of the way of the world
of death and destruction
of the way of the Christ
love and light enduring
But either our choice
ours to the end
freedom is power
awesome and real

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Unlike Other Places

2009-07-05T20:25:00.000-04:00

The difference of America
freedoms we enjoy,
the freedom to worship,
the freedom from want
so different from others
around this troubled world

A responsibility, a meaning
in the freedoms we enjoy
whether to follow Christ’s example
of follow the worlds’.
We are free to choose
more than most other people
not fighting for our daily bread,
our place in the world.

We more than most,
unlike other places by far
can help, can love
make a difference
changing lives
as people, individuals,
as a nation,
as a community of faith
to offer God’s love
in all that we do

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Matthew 5:3-12
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

A Warning

2009-07-05T19:21:00.002-04:00

In the instructions for the disciplines
the ones he sent out
words on the consequence
to those who would doubt
dust kicked off, shaken in their parting
a condemnation, a judgment
the price of rejection

July 5, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

Reckless Faith

2009-07-05T19:15:00.001-04:00

As much as walking on the water,
leaving home unprepared, out into the world
wholly dependent, trusting in strangers
relying on God

So were the disciples, timid, untrained
sent by the shepherd, out of the flock
out to perform miracles, to heal in his name

Sent into the world, purposely
without necessities, vulnerable
to walk in their midst,
living off hospitality, faith alone

A warning, a command
in the words of the King
to shake off the dust of their sandals
to any who would doubt

Only one chance, to answer the call
how lucky we are, to the offering for all
a God of many chances,
for repentance to the end

July 5, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

Dust in the Sandals

2009-07-05T19:12:00.002-04:00

Dust in their sandals
under their feet
the dust of the road
gathering in their journey
bring his word, his healing
to the people, in faith

Dust for the warning
for those who would doubt
who reject and refuse
these messengers of God
the faithful servants
on the roads of the land

July 5, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

Gathering Dust

2009-07-05T19:10:00.000-04:00

Sandals, for the traveling they would do
the only thing mentioned, allowed by Christ
sandals that would gather the dust
the grit as they journeyed
in ministry, in mission
bringing his message of love.
to the people of the word.

Dust they would cast off,
as the master told
if the people rejected their offering
their teaching of old
to a people in doubt
refusing to turn
their lives around
for the messiah foretold.

July 5, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009