Search Lights - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Beacons, projecting out into the storm
not staying close to shore,
seeking to help, to comfort, to light the way
so are we to be for our neighbors, all our neighbors,
to follow the call of the savior, the Great Commission
to project, to serve, to be missionaries
to go out into the darkness
out into the world around us
to be ambassadors, emissaries, disciples
of the one who came before us;
who walked the earth, who ministered
while he lived in the holy lands
while he walked among the Jews, the Gentiles,
bringing forth the coming of the kingdom,
the way of grace, the healing of the nations
through his life, death, through his rising
a light rising high into the heavens
seeking all who would follow,
all who would submit, commit
bend to the will of the father,
find the narrow road home
through the dark storms
follow the shaft of light
from the beacon, the way
that we all carry, project
out into the world

January 12, 2008
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
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Lighthouses

Not just a light for the nations,
not just being a light
the Light shining in the world,
in the darkness.
Lighthouses, beacons,
keeping all safe,
away from the shoals,
the rocks, the hidden dangers
dangers hidden in the fog,
the clutter of daily life.
Leading those out on the seas
safely to shore
to a sheltered harbor
home in the arms of our Lord

January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in The Message,
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)

--

A Light to the Nations

Clarity in the chaos
example of love, of faith,
clear, clean truth
so He was; so must we be
as his brothers, his sisters
His disciples, followers in the world
An example, a light in the darkness
a message of hope, of love,
to the captives, the prisoners
those lost in spirit
lost in the darkness of the world

January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in the
New Revised Standard Version,
contrasting to the translation in The Message
(see “Lighthouses”)