Thursday, December 31, 2015

How is it with your soul – v2

It is a worthy question always,
the one hanging in the air
spoken from the pulpit,
but more so in this season
at the turning of the page -
the question from her sermon,
“How is it with your soul?”.

We don’t often pause to reflect,
we are so busy in this life,
do we stop to ponder
the important questions,
“How is it with my soul?”, and,
“What do I need to change
to be more faithful to God?”?

May this new year tomorrow,
the calendar’s turning,
be a moment of reflection,
a time of turning to be drawn
ever closer to God, to His calling
on our lives, mindful of the question,
“How is it with my soul?”.

=============
edited January 27, 2016
journeying to the manger – v2
edited January 16, 2016
Time in the Word – v2
edited January 13, 2016
Is Christ real to me – v2
edited January 11, 2016
Am I a Hypocrite – v2
January 5, 2016
Time in the Word
January 5, 2016
She is a prayer-warrior
January 4, 2016
Is Christ real to me
January 4, 2016
Can I be trusted
January 4, 2016
How can I soften my heart
January 3, 2016
Am I a Hypocrite
January 2, 2016
Do I give God credit
January 2, 2016
we must stop to listen
January 2, 2016
God whispers His promises
January 2, 2016
journeying to the manger
January 2, 2016
With Fire
January 2, 2016
We are cleansed with water
January 2, 2016
I will pour water
edited January 1, 2016
How is it with your soul – v3
New Year’s Day
edited December 31, 2015
How is it with your soul – v2
New Year’s Eve Day
edited December 31, 2015
How is it with my soul – v2
New Year’s Eve Day
December 31, 2015
How is it with my soul
New Year’s Eve Day
December 31, 2015
How is it with your soul
New Year’s Eve Day
edited December 31, 2015
I need You – v2
New Year’s Eve Day
December 27, 2015
We should pause
December 27, 2015
We need to stop
December 27, 2015
I need You
December 27, 2015
we bow before Him
worship service
December 27, 2015
Last Sunday of The Year 2015
A Soul In Retrospect
Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)
Matthew 3:11 (NIV)
Isaiah 44:3 (NIV)
Wesley's self-examination quiz
and slide from song
"How Many Kings"
and sermon, “How Is It With Your Soul?”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 27, 2015
&
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
John 1:1-14
Luke 2:8-20
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
and Advent sermon series
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
message: “For Unto You A Savior Is Born”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
&
December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness
Presence in the Midst of Loneliness
Matthew 1:20-23
Hebrews 6:19
Romans 15:13
Job 8:13-18
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)
message: “Why Do I Feel Hopeless…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
&
edited December 17, 2015
In the Midst of Hate – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited December 16, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy – v4
(editing version 3)
edited December 15, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy – v3
(editing version 2)
edited December 15, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy – v2
edited December 15, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy
edited December 14, 2015
Joy, if we choose it – v2
edited/ expanded December 14, 2015
Joy, if we choose it
December 14, 2015
Full, if we choose it
December 14, 2015
choose joy
December 14, 2015
no matter my situation
December 13, 2015
Third Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Joy in the Midst of Despair
Luke 1:46-55
Isaiah 61:1-3
(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)
message: “I Will Choose Joy. . .”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 13, 2015
Third Sunday of Advent
&
edited December 8, 2015
In the Midst of Hate – v2
edited December 8, 2015
Seeking to Find Love – v2
edited/new December 7, 2015
Seeking to Find Love
December 7, 2015
In the Midst of Hate
edited December 7, 2015
Seek Love – v3
(Editng version 2)
edited December 7, 2015
Seek Love - v2
December 7, 2015
Seek Love
December 6, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Love in the Midst of Hate
Isaiah 11:1-4a, 5-9
Romans 15:1-2, 5-7
message: “Seek Love…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message  - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 6, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
&
November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Peace Within the Conflict
Isaiah 2:4
Psalm 122:6, 7
Romans 13:11
Matthew 24:42, 44
message: “Peace in the Valley…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message  - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

How is it with my soul – v2

Her question from the pulpit
the Sunday after Christmas
the title of her final sermon of the year
for all of us at the turning
of the changing of the year,
“How is it with your soul?”.

“How is it with my soul?”,
a question I often ponder
in other words, in other ways
maybe with less precision

A pause in reflection, in worship,
at the deeper questions she raised up
how we walked in our life
how close we are to God

“How is it with my soul?”,
in truth it is at times fitful
wanting to do the will of God
but not discerning it clearly

Her question from the pulpit
the Sunday after Christmas
hanging in the air, with us,
needing to journey in the coming year
to answer the question fully
to be able to speak boldly
of the meaning of the question
and how I live my life

=============
edited January 27, 2016
journeying to the manger – v2
edited January 16, 2016
Time in the Word – v2
edited January 13, 2016
Is Christ real to me – v2
edited January 11, 2016
Am I a Hypocrite – v2
January 5, 2016
Time in the Word
January 5, 2016
She is a prayer-warrior
January 4, 2016
Is Christ real to me
January 4, 2016
Can I be trusted
January 4, 2016
How can I soften my heart
January 3, 2016
Am I a Hypocrite
January 2, 2016
Do I give God credit
January 2, 2016
we must stop to listen
January 2, 2016
God whispers His promises
January 2, 2016
journeying to the manger
January 2, 2016
With Fire
January 2, 2016
We are cleansed with water
January 2, 2016
I will pour water
edited January 1, 2016
How is it with your soul – v3
New Year’s Day
edited December 31, 2015
How is it with your soul – v2
New Year’s Eve Day
edited December 31, 2015
How is it with my soul – v2
New Year’s Eve Day
December 31, 2015
How is it with my soul
New Year’s Eve Day
December 31, 2015
How is it with your soul
New Year’s Eve Day
edited December 31, 2015
I need You – v2
New Year’s Eve Day
December 27, 2015
We should pause
December 27, 2015
We need to stop
December 27, 2015
I need You
December 27, 2015
we bow before Him
worship service
December 27, 2015
Last Sunday of The Year 2015
A Soul In Retrospect
Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)
Matthew 3:11 (NIV)
Isaiah 44:3 (NIV)
Wesley's self-examination quiz
and slide from song
"How Many Kings"
and sermon, “How Is It With Your Soul?”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 27, 2015
&
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
John 1:1-14
Luke 2:8-20
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
and Advent sermon series
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
message: “For Unto You A Savior Is Born”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
&
December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness
Presence in the Midst of Loneliness
Matthew 1:20-23
Hebrews 6:19
Romans 15:13
Job 8:13-18
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)
message: “Why Do I Feel Hopeless…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
&
edited December 17, 2015
In the Midst of Hate – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited December 16, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy – v4
(editing version 3)
edited December 15, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy – v3
(editing version 2)
edited December 15, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy – v2
edited December 15, 2015
There is joy, if we choose joy
edited December 14, 2015
Joy, if we choose it – v2
edited/ expanded December 14, 2015
Joy, if we choose it
December 14, 2015
Full, if we choose it
December 14, 2015
choose joy
December 14, 2015
no matter my situation
December 13, 2015
Third Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Joy in the Midst of Despair
Luke 1:46-55
Isaiah 61:1-3
(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)
message: “I Will Choose Joy. . .”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 13, 2015
Third Sunday of Advent
&
edited December 8, 2015
In the Midst of Hate – v2
edited December 8, 2015
Seeking to Find Love – v2
edited/new December 7, 2015
Seeking to Find Love
December 7, 2015
In the Midst of Hate
edited December 7, 2015
Seek Love – v3
(Editng version 2)
edited December 7, 2015
Seek Love - v2
December 7, 2015
Seek Love
December 6, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Love in the Midst of Hate
Isaiah 11:1-4a, 5-9
Romans 15:1-2, 5-7
message: “Seek Love…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message  - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 6, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
&
November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Peace Within the Conflict
Isaiah 2:4
Psalm 122:6, 7
Romans 13:11
Matthew 24:42, 44
message: “Peace in the Valley…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message  - Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christmas and Calvary – v3

A day Christmas
and a place Calvary.
but a moment united
sacrifice in both
in each of these moments,
these offerings of God;
Giving up eternity
coming down from heaven
becoming our sacrifice;
Climbing the rugged cross
to set His people free

United in Jesus
in the divine human
in the choice of God
to become our sacrifice;
United together
Christmas and Calvary
Advent and Lent
the beginning and ending
of Christ’s ministry on earth;
The manger and the cross
the course of His life

-----
edited January 2, 2016
blessing and pain intermingled – v4
(editing version 2)
edited December 31, 2015
Christmas and Calvary – v3
(editing version 2)
New Year’s Eve Day
edited December 15, 2014
Christmas and Calvary – v2
December 13, 2014
the manger and the cross
December 13, 2014
Christmas and the cross
December 13, 2014
Christmas and Calvary
December 13, 2014
Christmas and Easter
Advent book study:
Luke 2:33-35
prophecy of Simeon
Chapter 2: “The Piercing of Mary’s Soul”
Not A Silent Night
by Reverend Adam Hamilton
Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
&
2nd Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Mary”
(as performed by Shyanne Foss,
who, like Mary, is 14 years old)
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 7, 2014
&
edited December 2, 2014
blessing and pain intermingled – v3
edited December 1, 2014
blessing and pain intermingled – v2
December 1, 2014
blessing and pain intermingled
Advent book study:
Acts 1:8-14
referenced article about Black Friday death in 2008
(and website for Black Friday Deaths - http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/)
Introduction and
Chapter 1. “Beginning with the End”
Not A Silent Night
by Reverend Adam Hamilton
Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
&
earlier books by Rev. Hamilton studied in Spirit Study groups -
The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus
&        
“Final Words from the Cross”
&
24 Hours That Changed the World

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,660+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.