Saturday, April 02, 2011

Those Without a Voice

None should be left out
sharing in our bounty
riches of this society
the fruits of this land

Those without a voice
for the cuts that are to come
need to be lifted up
to heal this broken land

Our covenant, our contract
the spirit which binds us
all of these needing to be reformed
in fixing this budget


April 2, 2011
Rally for New Hampshire
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=196585980375491
http://birchpaper.com/post/4269184577/video-from-yesterdays-rally
March 31, 2011
&
Cuts approved by the NH House and
Constitutional Amendment proposed by Rep. Neal Kirk
to remove safety net of town welfare
&
John 3:16 versus Leviticus 4
&
calling on the NH Legislature
and the Governor
to spare those without a voice
those who need us
from the severe budget cuts
that are currently planned
in HB1 and HB2, etc.
http://www.admin.state.nh.us/budget/index.asp
&
in part based on the testimony
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/index.php?view=article&id=125:testimony&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
of The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson,
Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Kathy Needleman, Esq. (testifying as a parent)
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Katherine Stearns, Esq.
March 10, 2011

Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
Law Offices of Raymond A. Foss, PLLC
Poetry Where You Live
160 Main Street
Suncook, NH 03275-1206

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

In Their Name

We stand, we gather
we come together
to tell our leaders
in their name, Change
rethink these choices
Start over again

We must lift up our neighbors,
our sister, our brothers,
our parents, our neighbors
all of them need us
to rise up and speak

We can do better
we can fix this
in their name we rise
We need your voices
stand up in love
to help our neighbors
all of us together
speaking out in protest
against these unconscionable cuts


April 2, 2011
Rally for New Hampshire
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=196585980375491
http://birchpaper.com/post/4269184577/video-from-yesterdays-rally
March 31, 2011
&
Cuts approved by the NH House and
Constitutional Amendment proposed by Rep. Neal Kirk
to remove safety net of town welfare
&
John 3:16 versus Leviticus 4
&
calling on the NH Legislature
and the Governor
to spare those without a voice
those who need us
from the severe budget cuts
that are currently planned
in HB1 and HB2, etc.
http://www.admin.state.nh.us/budget/index.asp
&
in part based on the testimony
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/index.php?view=article&id=125:testimony&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
of The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson,
Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Kathy Needleman, Esq. (testifying as a parent)
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Katherine Stearns, Esq.
March 10, 2011

Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
Law Offices of Raymond A. Foss, PLLC
Poetry Where You Live
160 Main Street
Suncook, NH 03275-1206

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Having left the foreign country

Rising from the pen
away from the pigs
convicted of our sin
wanting to live

In the pit of that moment
aware of our grief
wanting to head home
struggling with our belief

Having left the foreign country
wanting to go home
sad in the pain we have caused
to our Father, our Lord

Fear on this journey
certainly not yet arrived
yearning to truly live
because our Savior died.


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Vulnerable, Honest

In an awkward place
vulnerable, honest
our faith, our words, our struggles
exposed and raw
not yet at ease
at the moment of conviction
aware of our sin
but before we feel
The presence of God’s love
the warmth of his embrace



April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

His Convicting Moment

There in the foreign land
mired in the mud
his convicting moment
aware of his sin

Knowing what he had to say
to his father, his lord
for the hurt he caused
in leaving from his home

A journey draped
in sorry and fear
redeemed when his father came
as he drew near
running to him
to forgive him on the road.


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Newly Honest

The epiphany of grace
newly comfortable in truth
speaking words of life
yet not fully in rebirth

Caught in between
the wages of sin
heavy on our hearts
wanting to truly live


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Exposed1

Convicted of our sins
open in our grief
feeling the hurt we cause
our Savior to the cross

Exposed in our walk
on the road back to God
disquiet in our spirit
needing you by our side


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Between Old Life and New

In turning from ourselves
accepting his grace
heeding God’s call
yet troubled in our souls
Between old life and new
walking on this path
focused on the Lord
letting go of the past


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Between Repentance and Rebirth

Convicted yet hurting
aware of our guilt
the miry clay
of our existence
before our rebirth

Needing Christ beside us
to calm our trembling nerves
healing in the moment
when we truly believe

Yet needing the living waters
filling our spirits
to rise up on wings like eagles
above our troubles on this earth.


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Drenched in Conviction

Between our repentance
and walking in rebirth
drenched in conviction
slogging in the mud

Turning from the world
heading toward home
yet not fully arrived
into our father’s arms



April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

A Mud Season

Trudging, in between
a journey renewed
living faithful
yet going slow
stuck in between
a mud season of sorts
between the winter of sin
and the spring of new birth


April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Unrecognizable as our old selves

Unrecognizable as our old selves
like Christ for Mary
in the garden
after his resurrection
when we confess our sin
turning from the world

We are exposed, vulnerable
new creations awakening
unwrapping the bandages
yet not fully formed
still needing to heal



April 1, 2011
John 20:1-18
Mary in the Garden with the risen Christ
John 20:17
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
&
posting by David Abbott
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh
on his facebook page 3/30/2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/djabbottnh/posts/1928375210148
"There is a season between repentance and rebirth, between the old life and the new. There is a kind of mud season in which we have become newly honest about our faults, wounds and struggles. We are exposed and vulnerable, and not yet comfortable with a new way of living. We are unrecognizable as our old selves, but not yet fully formed as new ones."
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002141783064
http://www.facebook.com/#!/steve.garnaasholmes
&
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
&
written sitting in the lobby
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Grieving in Their Rebellion

Like God waiting
sitting in the hallway
watching their faces
parents hurting
their emotions exposed raw

Grieving in their rebellion
the children pushing
choosing to do wrong
when they have been taught
how to live right

Another real-world example
the lesson of the scripture
a loving parent, our father, our mother
loving their children anyway
forgiving them ever
even when they turn away
when we walk in our sin


April 1, 2011
1 Corinthians 13 (selected verses)
Hosea 11 (selected verses)
1 John 3 (selected verses)(Call to Worship)
The Prayer of St. Francis (Unison Prayer)
Worship Theme: “The Fruit of Faith is Love”
and sermon, “Love Lessons Learned the Hard Way”
(3rd in 5 part Lenten Worship Theme series on Mother Teresa’s quote:
“The fruit of Silence is Prayer,
The fruit of Prayer is Faith
The Fruit of Faith is Love
The fruit of Love is Service
The Fruit of Service is Peace”)
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 27, 2011
Third Sunday in Lent
&
written sitting in the lobby
during juvenile court hearings
Hooksett Courthouse
Hooksett, NH
April 1, 2011

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Looking at the Faces

Standing in this crowd
with our neighbors
looking at the faces
fear, yet resolved

Standing for justice
yearning for compassion
loving our neighbors
seeking a better way

To solve the challenges
the choices before us
hope in our future
together, in community

Lifting up our neighbors
those who need us
the State alone able
to meet their urgent needs

Coming together
divergent communities
speaking with one voice
that our neighbors may be free

All of us deserving
dignity, opportunity
to live together
in peace and harmony

None left behind
all deserving
help when they need it
hope for all of us.



April 1, 2011
Rally for New Hampshire
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=196585980375491
March 31, 2011
&
Cuts approved by the NH House and
Constitutional Amendment proposed by Rep. Neal Kirk
to remove safety net of town welfare
&
John 3:16 versus Leviticus 4
&
calling on the NH Legislature
and the Governor
to spare those without a voice
those who need us
from the severe budget cuts
that are currently planned
in HB1 and HB2, etc.
http://www.admin.state.nh.us/budget/index.asp
&
in part based on the testimony
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/index.php?view=article&id=125:testimony&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
of The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson,
Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Kathy Needleman, Esq. (testifying as a parent)
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Katherine Stearns, Esq.
March 10, 2011

Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
Law Offices of Raymond A. Foss, PLLC
Poetry Where You Live
160 Main Street
Suncook, NH 03275-1206

CAll of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,360+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Bare Ground, no more

Quickly coming, the curtains of white
falling so heavy
as the night gives way to bright
falling, falling
in sheets, in individual clusters
the heavy wet confection
landing on the branches
the carpet growing
thick pile to shag
heavy, wet, falling
falling to the ground


April 1, 2011
no joke, snow day from school
Suncook, NH
April 1, 2011

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,960+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

NH State Budget, HB1 and HB2, etc.

March 31, 2011

New Hampshire Senate
107 N. Main Street
Room 302 - State House
Concord, NH 03301

RE: NH State Budget, HB1 and HB2, etc.

To the Honorable Members of the New Hampshire Senate:

Tomorrow, April 1, 2011 is my 51st birthday. I am proud to be a resident of our state (since 1976), a graduate of Stevens High School (1978), UNH (1982, 1984G), and Pierce Law (2004). I have lived in Claremont, the UNH/Seacoast area, Concord, Manchester, and now in Suncook. I have served on NH Bar Committees, local budget committees and a local school board and several church committees. I am a family law attorney, a poet, and a small business man in our state.

I took time out of my schedule to be at the State House Plaza today to attend the Rally 4 New Hampshire. Like many I talked with, I do not do this frequently. But these are extraordinary times. I know that the budget cuts the House passed today will be devastating for many of our most vulnerable citizens, from children, to the aged, to the sick and mentally ill. I have a Master of Education Law, a Master of Public Administration, and a Juris Doctorate, so I have a lot of the alphabet soup people look to. But I also have 3 daughters and a strong Christian faith, which lead me to write this letter just as much.

These both made me go to the State House today. I couldn’t sleep tonight if I hadn’t, as Bishop Gene Robinson said back on March 10, before the House Finance Committee. It is all of our duty to speak out against injustice and to lift our neighbors up, especially the weakest among us. We have to do better. We have to find another way that starting by cutting mental health services, mediators, the abuse and neglect system, guardians ad litem, home care providers, and other low income programs across the state, etc. We have to leave these kinds of cuts as the last thing we do. We have to ask harder questions about what kind of state we want to live in.

I love New Hampshire but I want to know that we continue to care for one another as we always have, without eliminating the welfare law that has been proposed. I believe in the justice system; but indigent NH people need justice too. There will be sadness and long-term medical, penal, and social consequences on the cuts that the House has passed.

Please, use the power our Constitution grants the upper chamber. Be deliberative, do not rush to judge, start over and build a fair and balanced budget for our state.

If you need me to help, let me know. I believe together we can do better. Our children, our elders, the mentally ill and the indigent are crying out. Please be their voice.

As I said above, I am a Christian poet. I have attached below just 3 of the 55 poems I have now written about the budget cuts. Links to these poems are here:

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Hampshirehttp://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Hampshire%20budgethttp://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Hampshire%20budget%20cuts

Thank you.

Sincerely,



Raymond A. Foss, Esq.

--------------------------------
The Children, the Aged, the Disabled

Those who count on us
the children, the aged, the disabled
unable to speak for themselves
those not sitting at the table

We are their guardians
the stewards of their lives
we should be better than this
in this nation of such riches

Parens patriae, all of us caring
the covenant we owe them
to provide for their needs
never to be left behind

None of the cuts to come
should fall on the helpless
those unable to care for themselves
Those needing the State for protection


March 11, 2011
calling on the NH Legislature
and the Governor
to spare those without a voice
those who need us
from the severe budget cuts
that are currently planned
in HB1 and HB2, etc.
&
in part based on the testimony
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/index.php?view=article&id=125:testimony&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
of The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson,
Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
March 10, 2011

---------------------------
If this were your child, your sister, your mother

Think about these people
the ones they care for
the stories they are telling
their crying out

Not as strangers
as members of your family
changing the names
to the loved ones in your life

If this were your child,
your sister, your mother
would you make the same choices
for those who would share your table

Would you cut the services
would you trim that budget
if the person you were hurting
were in your family

For we are one people together
in covenant relation
the social contract breaking
right before our eyes

Yes we are our brother’s keeper
the ones they count on
to live in freedom
sometimes just to survive

The choices easy
when they are merely strangers
numbers on a page
costing the State money

But what if this is your child,
your sister, your mother
would you forgo new taxes
at the cost of their lives

March 13, 2011
------------------

Personal Witness

Standing before the Legislature
on the hallowed ground
the Statehouse plaza
the people gathered ‘round.

Standing to testify
to offer their personal witness
the pain in the offing
if the cuts stand.

Needing to start over
to throw out the budget
to come to consensus
on the priorities of this time

To care for our neighbor
to lift them up
offering hope even in trying times
not casting them off

March 31, 2011
Rally for New Hampshire
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=196585980375491


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Personal Witness

Standing before the Legislature
on the hallowed ground
the Statehouse plaza
the people gathered ‘round.

Standing to testify
to offer their personal witness
the pain in the offing
if the cuts stand.

Needing to start over
to throw out the budget
to come to consensus
on the priorities of this time

To care for our neighbor
to lift them up
offering hope even in trying times
not casting them off



March 31, 2011
Rally for New Hampshire
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=196585980375491
&
Cuts approved by the NH House and
Constitutional Amendment proposed by Rep. Neal Kirk
to remove safety net of town welfare
&
John 3:16 versus Leviticus 4
&
calling on the NH Legislature
and the Governor
to spare those without a voice
those who need us
from the severe budget cuts
that are currently planned
in HB1 and HB2, etc.
http://www.admin.state.nh.us/budget/index.asp
&
in part based on the testimony
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/index.php?view=article&id=125:testimony&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
of The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson,
Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Kathy Needleman, Esq. (testifying as a parent)
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Katherine Stearns, Esq.
March 10, 2011

Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
Law Offices of Raymond A. Foss, PLLC
Poetry Where You Live
160 Main Street
Suncook, NH 03275-1206

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Head Down

Working in God’s plan
focused, head down
Ignoring the wind
the callings of the world
Focused on Christ
the living God
Only on Christ
the risen Lamb of God.


March 30, 2011
James 1:12
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
March 23, 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,350+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Hunched Over in Her Grief

The sadness heavy
hanging down on her
a lead cloak
draped over her frame

Hope turned to sadness
weighing her down
her feet barely touching
yet anchored to the ground


March 30, 2011
and poem: When Hope Died
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-hope-died.html
from March 30, 2011
talking to Shyanne’s friend
sitting on the swings, but not swinging
at the bus stop
on the death of a few-days-old kitten, Hope,
smothered by its mother this morning
March 30, 2011
&
poem: Lessons of the Cherry Blossoms
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/03/lessons-of-cherry-blossoms.html
March 29, 2011
story on cherry blossoms
on Morning Edition on NPR
at about 7:42am
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/25/134824522/japans-cherry-blossoms-in-brief-beautiful-bloom
Japan's Cherry Blossoms In Brief, Beautiful Bloom
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2011/03/17/festival-invites-public-to-stand-with-japan/
March 25, 2011
&
poem: Rachel Crying
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/01/rachel-crying.html
posted to www.christianpoetry.org
March 30, 2011
from January 29, 2010
Matthew 2:16-18
Isaiah 40:1-12 (Call to Worship)
Lord’s Prayer
service after Our Family’s Table
led by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
sermon, “Meditation on Six Days after Epiphany Day”,
focused on the earthquake in Haiti
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 27, 2010
&
Genesis 8:21b-22,
Genesis 9:12-16
Genesis 6:5-8, 11-13
Psalm 20:1-3 (Call to Worship)
Psalm 46:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Worship Theme: There is Hope in God
Children’s Message
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
and sermon, “I Shall Not Be Moved”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 24, 2010
&
Psalm 23:1-6
Romans 8:28, 31-30
“Prayers for Haiti”,
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/01/17/prayers-for-haiti/
by Michelle Malkin,
Luke 10:35 (the last verse of Good Samaritan story)
service after Our Family’s Table
led by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
focused on the earthquake in Haiti
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 20, 2010


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,300+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

When Hope Died

The wisdom of nature
the choice of natural selection
so much at a young age
to comprehend,
hard to fully explain

Too small or injured
unlikely to survive
taken in an instant
so the others born with her
that they would thrive

When Hope died, sadness
crushing for this moment
pain in her choice -
to kill her small daughter
in caring for the others



March 30, 2011
talking to Shyanne’s friend at the bus stop
on the death of a few-days-old kitten, Hope,
smothered by its mother this morning
March 30, 2011


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Lessons of the Cherry Blossoms

Seeping into our consciousness
the images, the smells
the lessons of the cherry blossoms
the truths we know so well

The fragility of life
the briefness of this candle
like rice paper in a thunderstorm
shattering to pieces

Here for such a short time
soon to return to dust
calm in our spirits
when God walks with us
with us on the journey
the journey of this life



March 29, 2011
story this morning on cherry blossoms
on Morning Edition on NPR
at about 7:42am
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/25/134824522/japans-cherry-blossoms-in-brief-beautiful-bloom
Japan's Cherry Blossoms In Brief, Beautiful Bloom
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2011/03/17/festival-invites-public-to-stand-with-japan/
March 25, 2011

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Monday, March 28, 2011

at the moment

Like Saul on the road
to persecute the faithful
falling to his knees
an epiphany of grace

at the moment
we are saved
from death to eternal life
accepting the gift of our Savior
who climbed the rugged cross

No longer in darkness
walking in the light
needing to share the message
that others too may live

Convicted for a purpose
to be a holy nation
to spread the love of our Savior
to all the people we meet
to offer them our witness
grace more than sufficient
to heal the whole earth


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

a deadly harvest

the seeds we plant
living in sin
a deadly harvest
being reaped
just as we had sown

Death in our future
unless we turn from sin
into the open arms of our Savior
through his blood we live

Dying for us while we sinned
denying, rejecting his love
only when we are open to him
are we healed, restored

God calls to us ever
wanting to live with us
soothing us with his touch
calling us with his love


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
Romans 6:23

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Conviction of Grace

In love revealed
the conviction of grace
in his loving arms
I am healed
bringing me back to life

God called to me
while I did not believe
but he never gave up
planting a seed in me

The Spirit called to me ever
to turn from that path
to leave the pen, the pigs
to come back home to God

So long I wandered
lost in my wilderness
giving into temptations
thinking I was alive

Dead before my Savior
until he lifted me up,
kissed me with his saving grace,
and washed me with his love


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Seeing through Conviction

Sometimes on our knees
on the way back home
sometimes in the bright light
on the Damascus Road
Seeing through conviction
God’s grace all around
bringing us homeward
into our Master’s arms

When we see the love
when we accept the gift
changed forever in that instant
when we truly believed
God gives us new life
walking with us here
leading us homeward
into his arms again


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

How Can We Be Right Before God

As ancient as ourselves
yearning for relationship
the Spirit speaking within us
drawing us back to God

How can we be right before God
wanting to be with him
yet knowing our feet of clay
living in our selfishness
choosing to walk in sin

Not by us, what we can do
by God’s grace alone
he approaches us on the road
calling to us, “come home”

When we answer,
when we open the door
God himself enters in
in this we are restored
God himself enters in
in this is our reward


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
Revelations 3:20


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Reconciled with Jesus Christ

By Christ alone
coming back home
from the distant land
eating with the pigs
falling into the pit
in the consequence of sin
Reconciled with Jesus Christ
by his sacred blood
given on the cross for me
while I wallowed in the mud


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Grace Brings Us to Conviction

Stopping in our tracks
turning right around
falling to our knees
confessing to the Lord

Grace brings us to conviction
when we truly see
God there beside us
bringing us to believe

An opening to redemption
hearing the knock at the door
opening it to him
in this we are restored

God there already
waiting for us to turn
to fall into his open arms
in love, evermore


March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
Revelations 3:20

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Epiphany of Grace

Grace awakens us
heals us from ourselves
the epiphany of conviction
when we see the Christ

The grace already around us
yet we have no eyes to see
the scales, the lights, the chaos
what the world would have us see

The moment of awakening
when we open the door
letting Christ enter in
in this we are restored

From that foreign country
in the pen with the pigs
rising to be a servant
falling into the arms of God



March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
Revelations 3:20


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Father’s Response

When we come home
before we confess our sin
turning back to God
that we may live

The Father’s response
running to us
welcoming us in
forgiving our sin

The joy of God
in our turning
leaving the world
returning to him

A celebration in heaven
when each broken soul
comes back home
into the arms of our Lord


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
Luke 15:20
The Father’s Response

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Passover Lamb

Becoming the sacrifice
taking our sin
that God would not exact
his judgment on us

Like the first Passover lamb
the blood painted on the wood
the frame of the doorway
like the wood of the cross

God’s grace in this
taking our sin
going to the cross
though we were in sin

Dying for us
before we believed
dying while we yet were
living with the pigs


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Returning Home - 2

In some ways
all of us prodigals
leaving home
going our own way

Some of us lucky
heeding God’s calling
the gift of God’s grace
washing over us

Returning home
into God’s arms
coming to us
out on the road
walking with us
all the way home


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Story Personal

Hearts open
sharing with us
raw emotion
telling their story
that we may hear the message
God’s message of love

Each of us a prodigal
in some way
all of us needing
a way home to God

Christ alone the doorway
the mantle of his love
painted on the doorway
his blood on the cross


March 27, 2011 and March 28, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Letting Christ In

God waiting for us
to become aware
to sense his presence
Knowing He is there

We have to open the door
letting Christ in
to enter into our hearts
to dwell in love with him


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son
Revelations 3:20

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

In Denial, Following

In turning, submission
in turning, grace
responding to His call
to focus on God
in denial, following
giving up control
centering on Christ
walking with our Savior
all the days of our life


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Not just going out onto the road

God coming to us
like the father,
with open arms
but not just out
onto the road
while we are coming home

God comes to us
calling to us
while we are
estranged from him
to the foreign land
while we are yet sinning


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Not When We Were Ready

God’s love eternal
his grace immense
offering himself for us
while we were yet lost

Not when we were ready
while we wallowed in sin
going to the cross for us
that we may truly live


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

While in the Foreign Country

Not waiting us to turn
to come home to God
God seeks us out
while yet in the foreign country

Right beside us
out in the world
while we reject him
cursing his holy name

While we are living
wallowing with the pigs
eating the pods, the scraps
the things of this earth

Not waiting for us to turn
God goes where we are
wooing us with his love
dying that we may live


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

In the Filth of the Swine

Sitting in their pens
in the filth of the swine
hungry for food
eating the pods
the stuff of this earth
denying our father, our God

Even while we are there
in the pens of the swine
God giving himself for us
hoping we will turn to him
Going to the cross in our place
his arms open wide
Welcoming us if we turn to him
or letting us choose to die


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

While We Were Yet Unbelieving

While we were yet sinners
Prodigals, still in that foreign land
living in squalor
eating the pods
in our sinful selves
separated from God

While we were yet unbelieving
God dying for us
going to the cross,
the lamb
dying in our place
Not just on the road
when we turn for home
dying for us while
we still denied his name


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Justified Freely, By His Grace

Not by our works
our attempts at righteousness
justified freely, by His grace
God’s love redeeming
before we are convicted
God’s love meeting us
before we come to him
Healing us, lifting us
raising us from the dust
if we would but turn
an accept His precious love


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Not Waiting for Us

Coming to us
where we are
waiting right beside us
to the foreign country
not just on the road

Seeking us
where we are
in the pigpen eating
calling us to turn
to return to our own country
to come home to God


March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Justifying Grace
Prevenient Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Prodigal Son

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Getting in Temptation’s Way

We must walk with conviction
avoiding situations
getting in temptation’s way
to bring us into sin,
to death, estrangement
separated from our neighbors,
from our best nature
from the company of God
straying to that foreign land
focuses on our desires
not our needs in life


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Obstacles to Grace

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Love God wants to give us

Rejecting, turning away
the love God wants to give us
sin as separation
keeping us from him
From our neighbors,
even our best selves
the hope we have in you
sin makes us turn away
to walk away from You


March 26, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Obstacles to Grace

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Sin puts I in the center

Usurping the place of God
turning from his open arms
choosing to go to the foreign country
away from our Father, our God

Sin puts I in the center
the focus of our lives
taking away as our priority
the focus of our lives

Choosing to make us king
life the fool as a patient
seeing us as equals
as the creator of all things

Separating us from our position
while we are yet made of clay
taking God’s rightful positions
our desires in the way

Keeping us from relation
walking with our God
on the journey aimless
stuck in the miry clay


March 26, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Prevenient Grace
Prodigal Son
Obstacles to Grace

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Rejecting God’s Love

Choosing to reject
to turn from God’s love
wallowing in our own choices
separated from the Lord

The love God wants to give us
reconciling us to him
the reward of our Savior
earned by the blood of Jesus
poured out on the cross


March 26, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Prevenient Grace
Obstacles to Grace


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Ministering to Others

Relying on God
stepping into the breach
ministering to others
sharing God’s love ever
to all that we meet

No always in the foreground
laurels on our heads
sometimes in the background
washing the servants’ feet

Each part important
each one who serves
lifting up the body
sharing the message freely

The glory of our Savior
the sacrifice of Christ
the holy dwelling waiting
as our eternal home


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Their needs may be similar

Authentic living
walking in faith
their needs may be similar
by they know God has
always supplied their needs
their lives a witness
testimony to faith
walking with purpose
as God alone has led


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Life of Piety

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Only Our Daily Bread

Taking no more than our portion
looking to you not ourselves
leaving no one behind
sharing our gifts
blessings we have been given
too much to be counted
meaning to be shared
leaving no one behind
none of our neighbors
our children, our elders
while we have so much
given by you Lord


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Lord’s Prayer
&
Cuts approved by the NH House Finance Committee and
Constitutional Amendment proposed by Rep. Neal Kirk
to remove safety net of town welfare
&
John 3:16 versus Leviticus 4
&
calling on the NH Legislature
and the Governor
to spare those without a voice
those who need us
from the severe budget cuts
that are currently planned
in HB1 and HB2, etc.
http://www.admin.state.nh.us/budget/index.asp
&
in part based on the testimony
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/index.php?view=article&id=125:testimony&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
of The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson,
Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Kathy Needleman, Esq. (testifying as a parent)
March 10, 2011
&
testimony of Katherine Stearns, Esq.
March 10, 2011

Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
Law Offices of Raymond A. Foss, PLLC
Poetry Where You Live
160 Main Street
Suncook, NH 03275-1206

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Our Own Story

In the words of scripture
the fallen nation
the faith, the journey
the calling to us

Our own story
there in the pages
God’s love for us
then as now

Written for us
to guide and empower
to lift us up
from the dust of the earth

To walk in faith
ever trusting
guided by the Spirit
out into the world


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Life of Piety

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

His Love for You Lord

Open and real
passion in his witness
His love for you Lord
washing over us

His talk for us
poured out on us
loving overflowing
from his cup, filled

Rich with your blessing
needing to share
to share his witness
out in the world


March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Priesthood of All Believers

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

Sharing the Priesthood

Each with a part
a holy nation
each called to witness
to lift our neighbors up

Sharing the priesthood
the calling to serve
to share the message
in God’s holy word


March 26, 2011
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
Priesthood of All Believers

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.