Not to be praised but ridiculed - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

We are called
out of our comfort
out of the pews, the boats
to walk where he calls us
leaving our wealth
of station, our power
called to blessedness

Not to be praised
to be held up among men
but to be ridiculed and scorned
to be held in their dread
speaking out, standing our ground
servants of the Lord only,
in this blessing is found

A badge of honor
treasure in our future
in the storerooms of his courts
blessing beyond measure
in standing at the cross
lifting up our calling
and going into the world

July 3, 2010
written as a series of poems:
Matthew 5:3
- Not to the full but to the empty”
Matthew 5:4
- “Not to the joyful but to those who sorrow”
Matthew 5:5
- “Not to the proud but to the humble”
Matthew 5:6
- Not to the silent but to the gadflies”
Matthew 5:7
- “Not to power but to mercy”
Matthew 5:8
- “Not to the world but to the creator”
Matthew 5:9
- “Not to war but to peace”
Matthew 5:10
- Not to the Timid but to the persecuted”
Matthew 5:11
- Not to be praised but to be ridiculed”
Matthew 5:1-13
Beatitudes
and email, “Notes from Peter” (Hey)
received July 1, 2010
“This Sunday my sermon is titled “Pursuing More Than Happiness,”
and it is based on Matthew 5:1-13. If you have a few minutes to read
this passage of scripture prior to attending the service, you might get
a little more out of the sermon. In this sermon, I want to challenge us all
to live with greater intentionality and to find deeper levels of meaning
for our lives. Instant gratification can be the enemy of faithful living.
Intentionality is the path to blessedness.”
http://www.concordwumc.org
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
July 4, 2010
Independence Day

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