“The Question,” The Master Series, copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

Courtesy of Google search

 

 

A beautiful day beckoned.

The sides of the hills were golden

with fields of grain. 

 

The Cypress trees were green

among great expanses of gleaming flat rocks.

An ideal day born for the enjoyment of the sun

and the wondrous words of the Master.

 

The crowd began to thin toward the afternoon sunset.

The Master was weary.

Many were the questions of the day.

The answers required much of His strength to loudly speak

the words of wisdom to the crowd. 

 

As the Master prepared to depart

a young man in the crowd shouted a question

in His direction.

  

The Master’s followers tried to quiet the man

to preserve their Lord‘s voice.

They knew He was exhausted from the

long day of preaching.

 

The young man shouted again,

“Master, what can I do in my life that would be

pleasing to my Lord and God?”

In hearing this question

the crowd stopped movement

in their departure.

 

The crowd turned as one toward

where the Master stood.

Raising up to His full height

the Master looked over the crowd

with the kindest of smiles and He said,

 

“The mirrors of your own souls are within the eyes of

your brothers and sisters.

If you see hunger in those eyes around you

break the bread and share it.

 

If you see sorrow

share your tears with your brethren.

If fear overcomes your neighbors

stand with them

for numbers overcome fear.

 

Above all of these

love your neighbor

as you love your children.

My love protects your brethren

as it protects you.

 

This sharing of your love in my Father’s name

will be pleasing to your Lord and God.

In this sharing of your love without reserve

without reward

without a counting

will you be given

the glories of eternity.”

These words were spoken this day 

by the Master of my life.

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“The Journey” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Roses Amidst Thorns”

…..is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013

 

A ship in the sea of life

riding each wave of life

seeking the warm sun of each day.

 

The beauty of each dream as night falls

is never lost as it heads

toward the curve of each horizon.

 

Storms will blow

onward do we flow

in love and courage

by His hand.

 

Tomorrow brings the knowing in His love

the vastness of the ocean

is not so alone.

 

As long as we believe

we will never be alone.

 

For His love

surpasses all of this.

 

This and time beyond

this brief sea of life.          

                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                                

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“One Night” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

Courtesy of sion.hr

 

Steely the night shown against iced blackness

with a white diamond star blazing in the heavens.

Hints of soft voices whispered in the wind.

 

The weary shepherds pushed forward on their staffs

looking forward to the comfort of their tents.

Beyond the hills the sky glowed.

 

A choir of voices was heard with a sweet clarity

the sound of bells vibrated among the sound of horns.

The animals spooked deaf to the commands of their masters.

 

The wind increased in its volume and strength.

The shepherds were filled with fear.

Light overshadowed the darkness

during the midst of night.

 

Within the light formed

the most beautiful soft

white and gold of human-like forms

shining against the sky.

 

The shepherd’s breath stopped in their throats.

Filled with excitement and happiness beyond their capacity to describe

their skin prickled.

 

Heavenly voices brought words to their ears

words singing of kindness

understanding

peace

and anticipation to these men of the field.

 

The voices told of a special child that would

unlock the gates of fear and bring eternal love

to the future of the world.

 

This happened on a special night

a long long time ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

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“One Night” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

Courtesy of sion.hr

 

Steely the night shown against iced blackness

with a white diamond star blazing in the heavens.

Hints of soft voices whispered in the wind.

 

The weary shepherds pushed forward on their staffs

looking forward to the comfort of their tents.

Beyond the hills the sky glowed.

 

A choir of voices was heard with a sweet clarity

the sound of bells vibrated among the sound of horns.

The animals spooked deaf to the commands of their masters.

 

The wind increased in its volume and strength.

The shepherds were filled with fear.

Light overshadowed the darkness

during the midst of night.

 

Within the light formed

the most beautiful soft

white and gold of human-like forms

shining against the sky.

 

The shepherd’s breath stopped in their throats.

Filled with excitement and happiness beyond their capacity to describe

their skin prickled.

 

Heavenly voices brought words to their ears

words singing of kindness

understanding

peace

and anticipation to these men of the field.

 

The voices told of a special child that would

unlock the gates of fear and bring eternal love

to the future of the world.

 

This happened on a special night

a long long time ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

“The Journey” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Roses Amidst Thorns”

…..is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013

 

A ship in the sea of life

riding each wave of life

seeking the warm sun of each day.

 

The beauty of each dream as night falls

is never lost as it heads

toward the curve of each horizon.

 

Storms will blow

onward do we flow

in love and courage

by His hand.

 

Tomorrow brings the knowing in His love

the vastness of the ocean

is not so alone.

 

As long as we believe

we will never be alone.

 

For His love

surpasses all of this.

 

This and time beyond

this brief sea of life.          

                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                                

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“The Serpent Takes Many Forms” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

Courtesy of theo2011.blogspot.com

 

 

The meal was simple

one of bread, fruits, and vegetables from the field.

The conversation was good-natured

and spirited among the men.

 

He sat among them quietly

with a smile of love upon His gentle face.

These men had been with Him for many months.

They were closer than His brothers of birth.

 

He called to the server for a bowl of water

and a simple cloth to wash His hands.

They stopped speaking and turned to Him.

They knew the time to listen had come.

 

With courage the one closest to Him asked,

“Master, how am I to know the face of evil?”

“The Serpent takes many forms,” said the Master.

 

He placed His hands together

each fingertip touching the other

forming a circle.

 

“Within this circle appears air

and nothing to fear

but I say unto you

the Serpent can take any shape or form

seeminly without consequences of punishment or terror,”

said the Master.

 

“At the beginning of eternity

when my Father make your souls

an awareness of knowing evil.

He rendered to your souls an eternal power against evil.

 

When my inner voice speaks to you

know then

my brothers

evil is next to you.”

 

The Masters‘ eyes lifted upward

and cautioned,

“Only by crying out your God‘s name

will you be protected from Evil.”

 

Then He lowered His head sadly lamenting,

“To ignore this warning will place you in the hold

of the serpent

and you may become forever lost.

 

So I say to you

your heavenly Master and Father

I love you beyond the value or joys of this world.

 

Keep your faith

and ye shall be with us

in love and light in eternity.”

so He spoke to me,

the Master of my life. 

 

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“Friends of a Lifetime” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

 

 

 

 

With the passing of time

I have come to realize that there are truly

spaces that are never filled

by the loss of friends who were very personal

to my mind and heart.

 

Through the years

do the memories of Cliff and Tom

constantly come to my mind.

Never are they dead in my heart.

 

I see each of them

special in their concern for me

as the friends they were to me

and yes the love they rendered to me.

 

Have they been replaced in the void left by their absence?

No one has accomplished that.

Cliff was the short, large man from the deep South

always with a tale of lesson and advice not wanted

but when given

seemed well placed.

 

He spoke of home and craw-fish

his Mother and his victories in life

never of his losses.

 

You knew he was special

a special person to know.

The same stories he related never got old

just deeper in meaning.

 

The straight-laced

IBM type of guy was Tom.

He seemed to have found victories too early in his life

burning, dying as a shooting star.

 

An anger was present about him that could never be explained.

Tom loved a good meal and good drinks.

Save the waiter or waitress who spoke too much while serving!

He was there to savor the moment

should it be his last.

 

As Tom’s life was coming to an end

he maintained his pride to the last minute in a VA hospital

wearing a blue blazer that no longer fit;

no one cared about his past.

 

I miss Tom’s advice to me,

his laughter at my watch

that he thought was such a great sales job

because I had to push a button

to tell time.

 

His loud laughter rang in the night

raising high his special drink

to wish me and all

the best of life.

 

I miss both of these men.

They were the special friends of a lifetime

never to be replaced.

 

They are in my heart each day

with the warmest of love to my dearest friends

Cliff and Tom.

 

Whenever you both may be

in the great wonder of it all

I am one person

who misses you both

oh……….. ever so much.

 

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“As Death Comes Closer to My Door” A Christmas Thought, copyright 2005 John J. Rigo, poem from “Rainbows Amidst Storms” Revised

As death comes closer to my door

my eyes, though weak, seem to become clearer

about what I see about me.

Something about the look of God’s creations

that I did not notice before now

In seeing this creation

a wonderment stops my breath.

 

Is it the sound of wind singing

that I had not noticed before now?

Is it the vastness of the night skies filled with a beauty

beyond words that I cannot describe?

 

I find myself noticing beauty in people

a beauty that before

I did not see.

I see beauty in the old, the sick

the visions that I used to turn away from seeing

but no longer do.

 I feel the pain and joy of other people

I used to not feel such things.

The laughter of a child

ringing like a heavenly bell,

pealing in a meadow

sounds in my ears.

Is this God’s way of saying

“Look at what you have missed earlier in your life?”

I am not sure

but I do know

now I have become more thankful.

More thankful each day

for the gifts God has given to me.

 

I seem to be getting closer to heaven each day.

I now know, what I see, hear and Feel

are all but a small part of what will be in God’s world.

 

I can only hope

that in this twilight of my life

I might become worthy

in the areas that I have been unworthy.

May I be worthy of the love and blessings

He has given me in this life.

Thank you God

for this day.

 

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“By His Manger” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

 

 

Courtesy of backwoodsmama.com

Set aside your burden at my manger.

I have come to give My Love to you.

Side aside your fears

put away your tears.

 

Have I not promised by my arrival

eternal, everlasting joy to you.

Light beyond sight

sound in tune with angels’ voices

singing in My Love for you.

 

Come closer and bathe in my light.

Look into my eyes and see the innocence

in the truth of My Love

and care for you

now and forever. 

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“One Night” copyright 2005 John J. Rigo “Rainbows Amidst Storms”

Courtesy of sion.hr

 

Steely the night shown against iced blackness

with a white diamond star blazing in the heavens.

Hints of soft voices whispered in the wind.

 

The weary shepherds pushed forward on their staffs

looking forward to the comfort of their tents.

Beyond the hills the sky glowed.

 

A choir of voices was heard with a sweet clarity

the sound of bells vibrated among the sound of horns.

The animals spooked deaf to the commands of their masters.

 

The wind increased in its volume and strength.

The shepherds were filled with fear.

Light overshadowed the darkness

during the midst of night.

 

Within the light formed

the most beautiful soft

white and gold of human-like forms

shining against the sky.

 

The shepherd’s breath stopped in their throats.

Filled with excitement and happiness beyond their capacity to describe

their skin prickled.

 

Heavenly voices brought words to their ears

words singing of kindness

understanding

peace

and anticipation to these men of the field.

 

The voices told of a special child that would

unlock the gates of fear and bring eternal love

to the future of the world.

 

This happened on a special night

a long long time ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »