our chains - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

our possessions, our chains
the shackles that we carry
choices we have made
within the lies of our society
a corruption of the American dream
happiness lost in the excess of wealth
the drive to own and to hold
the things of this earth
that rust and chip
giving up the lasting wealth
stored up in heaven

let go of our chains
such is our prayer
that we would be strong enough to
change the way of our lives
and turn ever to You
God of the creation
of our salvation
let your kingdom come
starting in our hearts this day
so we may live without fear
cleaving to the one true God
no longer tied to the world
entering into your garner, our home
good grain of your harvest
we long to be

November 22, 2009
Christ the King Sunday
Luke 6:37-38
Psalm 92:1-4
Hymn: “Come, Ye Thankful People Come”,
by Henry Aford,
United Methodist Hymnal, # 694,
based on Mark 4:26-29 (Parable of the Growing Seeds)
and Matthew 13:36-43 (Parable of the Weeds)
& sermon “Defined by Generosity”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 22, 2009
His sermon is the final of a four-part series based in part on
Reverend Adam Hamilton (http://www.cor.org/about-resurrection/adam/)’s book,
“Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” (http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426702334)
&
Luke 12:15-21
and Psalm 16
and “The Prayer of St. Francis”,
United Methodist Hymnal #481;
and sermon, “I Want It All . . .”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 15, 2009
Her sermon is the third of a four-part series based in part on
Reverend Adam Hamilton (http://www.cor.org/about-resurrection/adam/)’s book,
“Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” (http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426702334)
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin