field

April 5, 2020 by Rick Stassi you

Garden of Flowers Vincent van Gogh

Out of our self
and into the
soft field of
colors and scents
enveloping our sense
and broadcasting within
that we live for others
because of One.
(C) 2020 Rick Stassi

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Love, so true

December 15, 2018 by Rick Stassi you

Clausen

The overwhelming light
of tomorrow’s day.
When hope is greater
than the sum of dreams
broken in forgotten time.
Optimism wins
as half-empty glasses
pour out onto surfaces
for tepid fate.
Give me hope and
dreams eternal!
Let me abide within
arms of comfort and
sacred sanctuary.
You offer a heart
filled with promise anew;
love forgotten becomes love
so true.

savory sweet

October 15, 2016 by Rick Stassi you

van gogh

Stream winds so pure and clear
lovely path throughout the year

Where from does this rivulet meander?
And how does it avoid harsh arid slander?

I beg to know this stream of life
Endless source to ease my strife

As a tear you shall always go
Upon the mountain’s cheek so slow

You are not of this world lovely stream
Not from yarn, legend, or even a dream

You are a divine droplet making its way
Winding downward without fear nor sway

Water replenishes me in graceful rebirth
With purposeful joy o’er saddened earth

For continuous and ready are your reserves
Gathering salt of which the soil preserves

This salt shalt ne’er have flavor lost
Just as endless stream flows from redeemed one’s cost

Preserve and replenish, these two shalt meet
The endless stream, savory sweet

treatise

July 31, 2016 by Rick Stassi you

Peasants beneath Trees at Moret by Camille Pissarro

For God
so loved the world
that He gave
His only begotten
Son,
that whoever believes
in Him
should not perish
but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

He is there

July 29, 2015 by Rick Stassi you

Artist: Paul Klee

when the lights go out
shall I fear darkness?
do I see childhood
and all of its dreams
with fences to climb
and creeks to cross –
a robin to spy upon
in its time singing unaware?

when the lights go out
I shall see warmth with
firefly-lit segments of
all moments that are good
which rest in my heart.
eyes of grace and a
heart of love embrace me
and there is nary time to fear.

when the lights go out
I shall meet all that
is eternal and know all things
as time and space are
instilled in my mind
and I know life
is good and all is truth
in a Father who is there.

and i thought

May 31, 2015 by Rick Stassi you

Artist: Claude Monet

dreaming of so far away
where upon tufts
of moss I lie gazing up lost in
hues of forever on new petals
of Spring’s awakening emitting
the joy of a peaceful bliss…

and i thought i saw your face blush
when i told you God loves you so much

your bare feet and laughter
with vanity cast to scorn
all is so well in these peaceful days
i look into your deep blue green eyes
to see the soul of light –
a lasting godly reflection…

and i thought i saw a tear drop
when i told you God is with you always

and meadows meant to
harbor life and vibrant colors
ever-reaching tiny hands up,
up to the pale blue
sky in sunshine and moonlight
now my heart sings at such mirth…

and i thought i saw you smile
when i told you in God you are perfectly made

sanctuary

October 28, 2014 by Rick Stassi you

heat dissipates
warm nights recede to
coolness, stillness,
wisps of clouds
impede moonlight
in eerie veil.

breezes returning
to a cutting edge.
dew on grass
crystallizing as
the cog slows and
rotation finds respite
sadly moisture through
the veins of leaves
long has passed.

I sit and wonder
and ponder time –
cycles of seasons
over and over
sometimes barely hanging on
as unbearable is
introverted reasoning
mired in self-pity
gnawing at the core
of my being.

I cry for those
whose slippery grip
fails and thoughts
of failing overwhelm
and lies are hiding
the truth that succeeding
is in sanctuary
where in a second
the universe is
visible to the naked eye
because one takes the
time to sit with
God.

certainty

May 28, 2013 by Rick Stassi you

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 (NKJV)

truth?
a certain question with the answer a certain evasion
it is man leaning upon his wisdom
with his inner self wearily burdened
as he seeks this question of all times –
a question he seeks all his life: “what is truth?”
and with self-certainty and determination
he prods for the one answer through a limited, desperate means,
that we who are God’s children see in an instant

life?
So then to gain life we must lose our own.
how can something be gained when it is certain it must first be cast off?
this wisdom is higher than man’s limited means but it is God’s truth.
for we leave a life in shadows for a life in Light
and this new life is full of vigor, this new life is goodness
refreshed and renewed each and every day
there is joy in our heart, in this new life
O Lord, the thanks we give You

way?
Yes there is a sure and certain way
A path worn into the dusty earth by the sandals of Jesus,
loosed and baptized, wilderness tested, we know to follow His way
but how far Lord? to crucifixion’s certain end – our dread?
crucifixion is resurrection’s certainty – our beginning and surprised joy.
it now seems so natural and we try not to reason, but just follow, the glory of God is at hand!
He shows rebirth unfurl to new life
with loss of the past a certainty – fear and grieve not.

epilogue
Struggle is certain for man so keen with driven wit
in finding answers to his one consistent question:
“what is truth?”
truth is at a point, on top of the highest mountain
where we certainly shall find God – together
let us all look to Him from the place we stand
in agreement, with many eyes fixed, for He has our best interest
and shows us life, truth, way through His love.

He draws me nigh…

January 1, 2012 by Rick Stassi you

PSALM 91:1-6

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

I ponder. Where do I place my soul? Where is my heart? God is not a banner I fly over my life, waved by me who is born-again by His grace. God is my life and in His sheltering shadow, I shall live. The Lord speaks deeply and sometimes complex to me . But never convoluted. His message will now shine brightly as I dive in and I will be closer in Him, by Him, in His shadow. He draws me into the feather of His protection.

I draw a conclusion: I hear His voice in my deepest communion and He draws me nearer. The relationship is deeper and more integrated, as a life rather than a label. I am His and as He sends forth instruction it is by no accident in the method, the tone, and the complexity He uses. I am curious. One who is drawn in is usually drawn in by curiosity. But, because of my trust in Him, my curiosity has merit, purpose, and is far from fantasy. I enter into His realm and crane my neck to hear every detail of His instruction. He is speaking. The time is divinely appointed.

I fear nothing anymore. For the wicked evil that lurks in places I cannot see, and the blatant persecution in the light I am well aware of, is all shielded by Him as I stand in His shadow. He will deliver me from all vile things and His truth shall be my protection. Man cannot fight truth, he searches for truth always. His nature is to seek a deeper meaning as it fits his model of existence. I search to fit into God’s model for who am I but His creation? God pull and tugs, as a mare may nudge a colt in subtle correction. But, this correction is a touch of love and in God His correction is thus the same. A gentle nudge to draw me near. Draw me nigh…

I am obsessive, I admit. So, where do I draw the line between obsession and true immersion into God? I must choose not to analyse my psyche. I must trust here and now that surely as I write, I am hearing Him and if I am obsessive, obsession toward Him is good. Who am I to draw a line between obsession and passion. It is in passion where I feel conviction, in conviction my motives are clear, with clear motives, the path is serene and lucid as I see His face.

I fear not. I seek much. I can see myself with Him. We walk side-by-side. He says: “…you know, you were a little obsessive and your motives not always clear”. He is my Father – This is how I see us talking. This He tells me. As I seek a deeper meaning He is glad to oblige me with deeper thoughts and instructions. I reel in the noise of those who equate passion with obsessiveness. It is a pestilence of which I must not be drawn to. He protects me with His truth. His truth will bring all man to his knees eventually.

So, I must place my soul and give my heart to Him in all fullness. I am not encountering, I am integrating. When I gave myself to Him, it was not casual. It was deep, true, and passionate. It is personal with Him. It is personal between me and His other children, it can be no other way. In this musing, I draw deeper. My conviction is clear. In His arms I am a new creation. As I bring this more up front in my walk, I should not marvel at those who scoff. It is all I am. Draw me nigh, Lord.

Rick Stassi

1/1/12