As I am poured out I am filled - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Becoming a servant
your vessel mad empty
turning from the world
emptying myself
made ready
for the outpouring
of your love

Living waters filling me
a libation of your grace
raining down
refilling me
over and over
my cup overflowing
ready ever

To be filled again
always enough
to be shared with a stranger
the good news sufficient
pouring out God’s love
yet never any less
always plenty
more than we need

June 12, 2010
Based on all of the following poems
and comment by Ruth that our vessels
are never really empty, like the jar of flour
in 1 Kings 17:8:16
--------------------------
Refilling Our Vessels

Our lives, our bodies
like the glove on his hand
when we are poured out
following our master
becoming the lamb

Sheep of the one shepherd
our past drained away
becoming a vessel empty
his Spirit indwelling
filling us again

Yet not for ourselves
a libation to be
poured out for others
for those who do not know him
that all would be free

Changed from our way
turned right around
our clay reformed for his purpose
sent out into the world
to share Christ, the Good News
to the ends of the earth

June 12, 2010
2 Timothy 4:6
&
and quote attributed to Corrie ten Bloom,
“I have a glove here in my hand. The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things. True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts. We are gloves. It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job. We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”
&
after rereading the following poems:
-------
A Vessel Empty

No more pretence
stripped bare
on my knees
as I am, naked
a vessel empty
my past poured out
open, humbly ready

Only through his sacrifice
His Spirit giving me power
to be weak, to be filled
by your love
that I may testify
to preach, witness
to your grace, oh Lord

Convicted by you
commissioned on the cross
appointed for service
anointed for your purpose
to be poured out
a libation of your love
to the ends of the earth

June 11, 2010
written at the House of Purpose coffeehouse
June 11, 2010
Hillsboro, NH
based on earlier poem:
--------------------------------
The Spirit Poured Into Us

The power of the Spirit
poured into us
when we pour out our past
becoming a vessel empty
ready to be filled with God’s love

Sharing our lives
with the risen Christ
walking yoked right to him
conforming our steps
to the way of our Lord

Pouring out his love
to all those in need
serving rather than being served

June 7, 2010
Galatians 1:11-24
1 Kings 17:8-16
Psalm 146:1-5 (Call to Worship)
Prayer of Dedication:
“Abundant God, we thank you for the jars of our lives
that are constantly being filled. We offer our gifts to you,
that others may know of your abundance and grace.
Fill the hungry with good things. Lift up the oppressed.
Watch over the stranger and comfort the lonely.
Through our gifts, may we do likewise.
In the name of Christ the Comforter, we pray. Amen”
Worship Theme: “How do our lives attract or detract people”
and sermon, “The Proof Is In the Pudding”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
June 6, 2010
Second Sunday after Pentecost

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