gentle patience

March 7, 2014 by Rick Stassi you

Guardian eye, strict ray of light,
Protecting vessels adrift at night.
Whilst commanding swells pound the shore,
Offering featherlight droplets upon the moor.

I am one who spies things pass
From warmly within forgiving glass.
Wondering always, my thoughts abound,
As the laden sea air, my tears find the ground.

Sky obscured by phantom mist
Am I a vessel poised to list?
Askew I seem as waves overwhelm,
Begging sweet guardianship at the helm.

Lighthouse, now, radiant toward me
The paradise drama unfolds to see.
And I, this vessel, drift not as before,
God’s gentle patience surrounds me once more.

“…for she who watches the sky and moors,
safe and sound upon Somerset shores”

cloudless skies blue

January 9, 2014 by Rick Stassi you

“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” 1 John 2:6 (KJV)

I peer inside from the outside –
It is cold out here and there is a fast-closing distance between us.
There within seen are familiar comforts I know,
Peaceful and pleasant is the unspoken invitation for entry.
Even if there were no light lit inside,
The room would be lit with eyes of love.
There is luminosity in love.
Illuminate me now.

What will I hear today? Craned neck drawing upon whispers,
Sitting at your feet, listening, pondering, relating…
Remarkable stories that seemed fashioned to my life
Following the curvature of a tired, albeit perseverant, inquisitiveness.

I learn in conviction there is no judgement,
Wisdom attained in agreement is self-reason gladly ceded,
regret is all surrendered, guilt to dust…
And I! What ask I? My questions always seem tireless and endless yet they tire you not.
As protecting shadows forsake huddled secrets deep within me.
Those things from long ago. Places untouched for many years, generations.
Or, tomorrow? The right and the left ahead blend into a straight.

All this I see with you. Your voice guides with gentleness and precision.
There is beauty in my glowing heart as wisdom is joined with humility
and delivered in love.
Straight to my core.

Warming fire rages –
O flickering hearth.
I daydream a moment, looking outside.
I love the days when the snow drifts high and the
Wind cuts clean and I am warm, happy.

Sanctuary, O my dwelling place, but now it is time to go.
So, I gather my things and step outside again.
Bones quickly chilled, but I have enough from you until next we meet.
Don’t want to overspend my time, I’ll come back.
We bid farewell with a parting comment:
“Come back and stay with me longer” lovingly is said.
“But I’ve so much to do” I saying sadly,
“Life is but to live, but I thank you for your time.”

Peering at the ground I miss your unchanged gaze locked on me.
In one last look, eyes intersect and something in your spirit,
Raises the hair on my neck.
I feel just now I am the only one to ever walk into these doors, to sit at your feet.
Surely there are more like me? But I feel so unique and loved so deep.
I am drawn back and you set a place at your table for me. You takes my things, offer respite.
I believe I will stay.

For in this place my perspective is new
Infinite and lucid, cloudless skies blue.

rick

abandon

August 3, 2013 by Rick Stassi you

Artist: Phoebe Stassi

“Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21 (NIV)

What is submit? Compare submit as the giving of something to the abandoning of our very soul. A deep contrast. What we give or what we abandon. The first is easy. The transfer of something for one hand to another’s.
But abandon…

So, in submitting to God we are really abandoning ownership of our souls to be transferred from our hand to the Lord’s.
Actually He has purchased our souls and it is up to us to loose the firm grip of straw we incessantly have.
We are those who are frantic over comfort and security. Naively thinking the fading things around us will provide. Naive.

A man can no sooner grab his own collar and lift himself from a pit. So, another must assist. But tragically he awaits at the pit’s bottom as tens of thousands pass by. The world is impersonal. Our despair is not the world’s concern. I submit.

However, if we believe in One greater than ourselves and are at peace with Him – meaning we rest knowing He is there, then the amount of impersonality is meaningless. We are lifted from the pit – from despair – by hands of Love. Maybe, just maybe, those who previously were oblivious to our entrapment in despair, will catch a glimpse. Maybe….

I submit that at our abandoning of our soul to God, His light emanates from now what is His. This will make heads turn. His work is captivating, omnipresent. Some come back to see. Love them even as they once ignored you. Our calm peace in God is infectious.

Finally, then, prosperity. The world talks of prosperity in a different and pompous tone. But we who abandon, possess prosperity in His peace, in His Love, in our eternity. Life is bigger that the sum of all it’s parts. To cross the abyss for the world to eternity requires abandoning our soul. Give up what is not even rightfully ours anymore. As we look from our worldly eyes at this abysmal precipice, we see only the long fall into despair. But abandon transfers. One side to the other and we soon are looking back at impossibility which is now possible. We have comfort and know love and needn’t argue who is right for He is righteous and He rains prosperity on us.

Abandon. Submit. Peace will come. Prosperity is love. God knows and waits.

rick

embraced

June 25, 2013 by Rick Stassi you

Artist: Sean Seal

Embers glowing, fire bright
Warmth protrudes from what is light
From afar we view, you take my hand
Such distance to travel to this venerated land
Through freezing field I traipse a pilgrim’s journey
But I worry not because you’re with me
And tarry not, the gait is swift
A lightened load gives me a lift
Our teardrop joins, hearts both break
For broken, disheartened, souls yet to wake
How I love this walk – time with you
In this moment virtues ne’er misconstrue
My feet are cold, the hoarfrost stings
I shall endure these trifling things
I waver once and look at you
Eyes of brown, hazel and blue
All of the colors, spectrum bright
The warmth afar yet still in sight.
You and I alone in this space
Time to thank, sing, embrace
For your hand I hold on dear
Removes all doubt, removes all fear
I love you now with all my heart
You love me too right from the start
And frosted path is stinging feet
Endure it now until Maker meet
I shall endure as life meanders well
Ever with you gives so much to tell
Closer now, face dark to light
’twas not me, ’twas your might
Rapping now upon the door
Peaceful…feet they sting no more
And bright inside shines ember glow
I look outside to see the snow
Another comes, soon even more
An ever rapping to narrow door
Love is bright and frost is cold
Time to realize young to old
But only in this earthly place
For by the fire, age disgrace
And I am calm, ’tis peacefulness
All I have seen gone to rest
But surprisingly joy is at hand
My presence embraced, His demand.

Regarding a Fowl

June 12, 2013 by Rick Stassi you

Artist: Sean Seal

“He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler”
Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)

“By natural instinct she not only protects them, but calls them under that protection when she sees them in danger, not only keeps them safe, but cherishes them and keeps them warm.” Matthew Henry – regarding a fowl.

Covering is ours indicating protection
Feathers defining His compassionate selection
Refuge is our fortress, our safety, our Rock
Truth being the pinnacle of our focus, the key to unlock
Shield is this truth fortified ’tis true
Buckler shall stand just as our shield shall too

God beckons us in a way that shows His deep care
And we come to Him when we are aware
Of danger thrown by the enemy’s sling
And God’s truth is His steadfast wing
This truth is His Word and impenetrable it is
But within the truth is soft down bliss.

So with the first sign of the enemy’s attack,
The Lord shouts our return to Him: Come back!
We learn to recognize these times aware
Of His presence and care
Thus is our anthem as a believer we ne’er flail
With our eyes ever seeking, His promises ne’er fail.

Meditation

September 4, 2012 by Rick Stassi you

Artist: Heidi Brummer

24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)

Sweet words of the Lord that ring in my ears and linger in my thoughts.
God is with me and His promises are too.
I pray to savor these times when He speaks to me.
All may be slowly passing but His word is alive forever.

His love is beautiful and His utterance meaningful.
I may learn and I may teach from His example.
My life is shaped in this way.
His will is for me to see His revealed character and harbor His spirit.
Others will see.

The Lord blesses and protects.
In my walk His blessings are small and hidden,
They are large and obvious.

His blessing upon me fuels my attention and focus back to Him. They help me bless and love others in His way.
He protects me always. My heart is in His hand and there is a protective shield against worldly malady: Jealousy, avarice, and hurtfulness transform to encouragement, generosity, and compassion.
God blesses and protects me.

The Lord smiles upon me and shows me His grace.

My path is lit by the light of His smile. His smile warms the cold winter morning and cools the hot summer night. I am in His influence and under His smile. There is comfort like a warm and loving hug or a tender and sincere “I love you“. He spreads His love throughout my life! His smile beckons the children of this world through my soul. For that which I receive, I too may emanate. It is His way. His grace is sufficient for all eternity and I partake in this feast. Jesus with His distinct and unique love for me. Unconditional and true. How loved I feel in His watch. The Lord’s grace with His arm of righteousness and His love for me so great. It is my eternity that I have not earned, but have been allowed into through His gate so narrow. Yes his gate is the opening from darkness to light, from the finite to the infinite. He beckoned me to the opening and through His grace I was ushered in. It is Jesus. He died so that I may enter eternity.

The Lord gives me favor and His peace.

Even now in the midst of this meditation, the rumble of angst builds. I hear it. The enemy will try to steal these moments. But I rebuke Him under the authority God has meted out. He has given me a portion of His heart and endless are these portions. So I rest in the comfort of His favor. This is peace in which I partake. I need not worry in these times. I need not worry ever for His favor will not perish or fade, it is steady and sure. Surely I will turn my gaze in brief bouts with uncertainty; but, I will return and continue in His peace.

His love has attributes. They are His blessings and protection, His smile and grace, and His favor and peace.

All for me. All for you.

The Lord with His blessed song,
His right hand protective long.

His smile so filled with love,
His grace alighting as a dove,

His favor so sure and true,
Brings peace for me and for you.

Rest in the Lord today. His word is our meditation. I pray hearts fill with encouraging love. It is God in our lives. It is His time.

Rick Stassi
September 4, 2012

Your hand of righteousness

November 13, 2011 by Rick Stassi you

You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways,Gracious in all His works.The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;He also will hear their cry and save them. The LORD preserves all who love Him,But all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.
Psalm 146:16-21

God Your fist unfurls as the right hand of righteousness beckons with Your welcoming call. Help us to heed Your call. As we heed, we are satisfied in every desire. We are changed. Your promise is to be near to all who call upon Your name. Hear our call now!

Your hand is far and wide and Your touch is gentle yet firm. We welcome Your offer of righteousness and grace and we offer ourselves in return. For it is we who seek, and You who provide our protection from adversity.

You are righteous in all of Your ways. If we can turn toward Your beckoning way, we may know that you impart Your righteousness to us each and every day and for this we are thankful. You are God and we are Your flock of who can gather in Your hand and feel safe. Lord help us to know that You permeate every corner of our life and are always there.

It is us who wrestle with the reins and stubbornly try to lead. If Your hand will lead all, where shall we lead ourselves? What more will we do in vain? Help us to succumb and be disciples. Help us to nurture young believers and convey the same protection we receive from Your hand. We have the strength to help pull a lagging or a falling child, turning away, to come forth to you. You can do it Yourself, God. However, we are Your entrusted children, with a commission to bring others to Your hand of perfect righteousness. We love you and we can show others our love for You and You will preserve us.

All that is turned away shall surely pass away and all that is turned toward shall surely be preserved. We heed Your beckoning; we come to Your calling. We rest in Your hand that holds all creation. It is beyond our reasoning yet we speak of you Lord – we speak with all of the love and praise of the saved and the preserved! For you are God and we are of Your flock. All flesh shall sing a new song of praise to you as we, ourselves, are renewed. We are a new creation in Jesus Christ and for that all is good. All is protected and all is safe. Your right hand unfurls to provide us a place of rest. If only others could see what we see. Should not that be the song of our existence? You are so wonderful, God, and we need to praise you loudly and boldly. So, when we reach out our hand, we reach with the hand of a confused soul who wanders in and out of darkness. Our touch meets with Your hand of protection and love. Hold tight this grasp yet gently bring along a child lost, in despair, so sure that the reins wrestled from you God initially, are back in Your reign and are leading us on the good path. How wrong we were.

We praise Your God – all flesh – and we seek a place in Your hand of righteousness, gentleness, and the perfect love of the One who saves us with a drop of His blood.

Rick Stassi

Rewritten from Sept 2011