The sheltering song
Of overwhelming love,
Alights upon my heart
On the wings of a dove.
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
lovely and true
grove of trees Renoir
peace comes in drops of rain
light piercing in prismatic plane
with hopeful glances far above
He is near and cradles in love
when do we fill the gap of vanity
and overflow like tourmaline sea?
i ponder inward and see my flaw
knowing God’s restoration in awe
renewal waxes in unfurling leaf
soft green waves silent absence brief
my Creator will not leave my aching heart
He is watchful and shall never part
I hope someday I will see
into myself amber lens free
to see the possibilty of finding anew
what God has always seen lovely and true.
(c) 2016 rickjstassi
how beautiful
“Landscape with Stormy Sky”
Camille Pissarro
how beautiful is this day
with fragrant fields harboring
dew captured on tiny leaves
replenishing and nourishing
how sweet the melody rising and
discordant sounds failing to
resonant streams knit note by note
falling upon my wanting ears
awaken with beautiful smile
as sadness is forgotten and hope
transitions from things wrought
yesterday to trust in new birth today
sing o heart of joy!
God sets His hand on my world
tears dry and eyes open
to meet sunrise’s new light
welcome Spirit, within my soul abideth thee
for now I am certain beyond
all material objection,
that I am a child of God
(c) 2015 rick stassi
Veiled and Clouded
Artist: Heidi Brummer
South Africa
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
Empty me Lord,
my mind betrays
filled with thoughts
for intended delays
Empty me Lord,
of the veil of night
that blocks out light
and defers my sight
Empty me Lord,
of this mind so clouded
in skies of gray
seeking is shrouded
Empty me Lord
of barricaded stream
blocking wisdom
cancel this erratic dream
For faith alone shall
bear enough reason
to fill this heart-
mind held with treason
And justly I walk
to see Your eyes
by this faith alone
discard disguise
and peace shall come
evident in certain hour
for by my faith
I rest in Your power.
© 2013 Rick Stassi
Concentric
Pressing into every joint,
Into His omniscience we immerse.
His Spirit strong at a single point,
Outward, direct, sure, never adverse
With the spherical radii we reach into
The Cloud of wisdom, love around.
Infinite presence stable and true
We know, we just know, without a sound.
For God is there, in all direction
And to be sure the Spirit has His place.
Concentrically immersed in His affection
Influence from single point to His shining face.
Each of us children of dispersion
Walk upon His graceful path
All because of our immersion,
Avoiding, ever, Satan’s wrath.
A circle within a larger one
Center point thus shared.
Concentric is our Spiritual soul
With God’s omniscience, Eternity bared.
So unique we are in abundant grace
Spherically, to see all ways, designed
That we would run a greater race
Our sphere-ness is thus refined
For we can reach only so far,
For now…He deems this best.
Our vision of God is our radius
Our faith with us til our rest.
© 2013 Rick Stassi
flailing at darkness, uncertainty lost
Artist Credit: Sean Seal
“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.”
1 Corinthians 9:25,26 (NKJV)
so where is it that one should strive?
to win a race that we contrive?
to rush about is foolish still
to win a crown, not of God’s will
yet we try alone
under the strength of sinew and bone
to pull ahead of the slower one
and be satisfied for a fruitless race well run
all for naught in this season’s light
for alone is Sorrow’s, fruitless plight
perishable is the crown for which we compete
bypassing the Lord Who will complete
so awaken thus with determined heart
the race has begun, His good work’s start
my mood is level with steady gait
imperishable crown at end awaits
so i take on this godly feat
uncertain once, at emptiness my flailing fists beat
dark uncertainty shant admit defeat
against dark shadows I shall no longer compete
light falls upon victorious dawn
a hand of strength helps us along
and each day a new certainty
that God will increase, His eyes we see.
© 2013 Rick Stassi
…and this One
And this One shall be peace. Micah 5:5 (NKJV)
and this one shall be peace
a bit of love
from friend to friend
finds a warmth receive and send
and this one shall be peace
a kind word for they on the lane
we know not their suffering
we know not their pain
and this one shall be peace
my eyes to God
in earnest seeking
His guiding nod
and this one shall be peace
to count all blessing
each a pleasure
surely know we are God’s treasure
and this one shall be peace
to be know with trust so sure
that we shall walk
in love so pure
and this One shall be peace
Jesus Christ, Saviour, Lord
blood on tree, spikes and jeers
This One is peace for all of the years
© 2013 Rick Stassi
His Eyes
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
For His eyes
On earth do peer,
Patience o’er those He espies
To and fro for the meek,
Watching us, our seeking cries.
For His eyes
Wander here and there
To each man’s face
Painfully aware of life’s
Increasing pace.
For His eyes
Leave no stone lost
Rooted deep in hearts forsaken
Refresh anew these
With Spirit awaken.
For His eyes
See grieving tears
Compassion never lost
Those shed for pain, shed for fears
His grace does come at a cost
For His eyes
Fixed upon a man,
He shows strength, endurance be
Looking down upon a man-
This man, this one is me.
For in my eyes
The smiling heart
Of You, God I see
Always perfecting
My soul within me.
And our eyes
Meet everlasting
I shall give all my core
Solid course stayed true, time passing
And to Your His eyes I giveth more.
Once a man in lowly places
Seated with unfavored faces
For the world, it medicates
But in His eyes
He sees and waits.
Once a moment in forgotten time
I ran to Him, His eyes so kind
And gave Him all my soul to keep
For in His eyes
His Love runs deep.
For the ones who feel unloved: God loves you.
Therefore, there are none unloved.
© 2013 Rick Stassi
Pray Vanity Lost
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
Jonah 2:8,9 (KJV)
Look not upon emptiness,
Place no value there.
Panic not upon distress,
Cleave to vanity, know despair.
Observe your breath disperse,
Out into the air.
Our hopes soon immerse,
Into burden’s lair.
But follow not emptiness,
Cast not away His love.
Cry to God, His holiness,
Thanksgiving to He above.
We gave in earnest our souls to Thee,
A solemn sacrifice.
And You, O Lord, have set us free,
Many hopeless to entice.
The Lord’s salvation, Love so true.
Vanity’s breath exhales.
From miry dark pits to light anew,
His mercy never fails.
Pray Vanity lost, Pray Mercy never forsaken
© 2013 Rick Stassi
A Contrast…
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Psalm 107:29
Water tossed across the seas,
Instigated by ambitious breeze.
Daring vessels to sit upon
The waves of uncertainty night to dawn.
But Jesus calms water still
And calls for faith -we search our will.
For are we Peter and step out bold?
To soon let matters of mind bring cold.
Encourage ye of these great waves,
That our Lord overcomes, His hand so saves.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. Psalm 46:4
Water flowing whisper calm,
Through the high place anointing balm.
The peace of Spirit on water ride
Near Jerusalem, from Savior side.
And love and peace in Holy call
Flowing, meandering spiritually all.
We know this rest on waters still
For Jesus tames all unrested will.
The Spirit flowing vessel full,
The eyes of God, still, deep water pool.
…and we flee to Him
© Rick Stassi 2013
Jesus, Light of the World 