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Archive for the ‘upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy"’ Category

“Giving My Pain to the Lord” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

 
 

Courtesy of smilingmakescancergoaway.com

It was ten years ago.
The fall was fifteen feet while trimming a tree.
I was blessed in not becoming paralyzed.
 
Eight staples in my head.
A damaged knee requiring surgery.
A fracture in a spine that was now twisted.
A lifetime of pain with two fused disks.
   
I refuse to be confined to a wheel chair from a possible surgery.
The question was how to deal with the pain each day.
I did not want to become a drug addict nor an alcoholic.
 
I prayed for an answer.
The answer came.
“Giving my pain to the Lord.”
 
Each day the pain is a reminder
of the blessings of my life.
The very blessing I have
in glorifying His name
in my pain. 

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"It Was My Sweet Jesus" copyright 2009 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 3, 2012| 2 Comments »

 
  

Courtesy of scotdodge.blogspot.com

It was my sweet Jesus
who brought me to the light
from the darkest place in my life.
 
It was my sweet Jesus
Who loved me
and kept me safe
when no one cared
whether I lived or died.
 
It was my sweet Jesus,
Who protected me against
the darkest of evils
that befell my life. 
 
It was my sweet Jesus
Who showed me the beauty of heaven
when I no longer believed in Him.
 
It was my sweet Jesus,
Who answered my prayers
when I cried out in pain and agony.
 
It was my sweet Jesus,
Who brought joy to my heart
and hope for my soul.
 
It was because of my sweet Jesus
that the eternity before me
is now filled
with the promise
of His eternal Love for me.

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“The Touches of Love” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , on April 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy: Rodin Lovers statue in Paris

 
The gift of memory is the gift I treasure most.
In that memory is memories of the touches of Love in my life.
A kiss of deep felt emotion and love
when not expected.
 
The touch of your hand behind my neck
gently stroking my neck with your fingertips.
The way you reached for my hand
when we were walking together
a squeeze of hand that said, ” I am here, and I love you.” 
 
The full body hug of your endearing body formed to me
in a “Hello Greeting” when we had been apart for a while.
To touch, to feel, and know one Loves you within the Passion
that only being humans
brings to us.
 
“The Touches of Love” that makes all words
pale into memory.

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“The Forgiveness Letter” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of Google image search. No credit available.

 
 
I found myself at the apex of my life.
It was not a twelve step program that entered my mind
but a way to seek “Forgiveness.”
 
The list was long
and difficult to put together.
Many of the names were from many years ago.
 
A great amount of time was spent in finding addresses.
Many of the people of the list
were long dead.
 
It was a form letter I composed.
It began, “This letter is written to ask for your forgiveness
for any hurtful thing said or done to you in our relationship.
Please accept my apology for such actions on my part.”
 
There is now a large pile of letters with stamps on them
awaiting in a box to be mailed.
Some will be returned “undelivered.”
 
A large number of my addresses will never respond. 
A few will write back simply saying that the apology is accepted.
A greater number will write back listing my sins upon them
and close with black bitterness in their closing written words.
 
Then there will those who are the exceptional of heart.
In their return letters
they will also accept responsibility for any hurts
brought to the prior relationship. 
 
There will be a wonderful result in sending these letters.
I did seek “Forgiveness.”
Whether is was given or not
is not important.
 
What will be important
I will then know
who my neighbors in heaven
will be.
 
 
 

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“Bring Joy and Laughter To Your World” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , on March 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

  

Courtesy of eshpejt.com

There are enough Dip-Shits
and Selfish people in this world.
Their very acts of thougthless words
and deeds create the Depression of this earth.
 
Make a difference in your own community each day.
As much as you can
bring Joy and Laughter to your world.
 
Upon each person that you met each day
find something joyful, fun or good to say to them.
In so doing will you be bringing the Joy of God’ Love to all.

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"Remembering You" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming Book III, "Passion Amidst Apathy"

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2012| 2 Comments »

I am glad I am here,
to remember you.
In recalling our time together
there were many joys.
 
There were also times of sorrow
we shared in those times.
We had something very special
in the friendship we shared.
 
It has been many years
since you passed on
still  I think of you
each day
and remember. 

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“The Sandals of Jesus” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy” including a Commentary on Foreclosed Churches in East Texas

Posted in Commentary on Churches, Foreclosed churches in East Texas?, Mabank Texas, Poetry, Presbyterian, Presbyterian Church in East Texas, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

 
 
 
Commentary:  It recently came to my attention that a Pastor of a Presbyterian church in East Texas is finally moving on.  What is so hugely funny, is that he is going to a higher level of administration in the Presbyterian religion. What started out as a financially sound church was destroyed literally by this Pastor.  In spite of a “no confidence vote…twice” this Pastor insisted in taking this over century old church to a huge remodeling phrase.  The project added little to the church and spent close to a million dollars of church assets and loans on the property. 
 
Since the remodeling, there has been no church growth to speak of, while the members struggle to pay the huge loan on this church.  Churches should not be monuments to the ego’s of their Pastors, sadly as this church had become.  Hopefully, the stain glass window which was dedicated to his name will be quickly modified to remove all memories of his poor judgement in his prior position in this church. 
 
Simply by typing in the Google search bar under, “Foreclosures on Churches” including the following link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/us-usa-housing-churches-idUSBRE82803120120309   one can easily see that it will be a matter of time that this East Texas church will also be foreclosed.  Recently one came up with a great name for a foreclosed church turned into an eatery.  A great name for such a place would be the “Last Supper.” 
 
 
The Sandals of Jesus are only worn by very special Ministers.
They walk with the greatest of thoughtfulness towards others.
Any form of harm whether physical or mental
would they never bring to another.
 
True gentle souls are they
in their centering of their love of God.
Always thankful.
Always demonstrating appreciation
for every kindness that comes their way.
 
They speak not of darkness but of light.
They are light
that brings peaceful joy to others.
 
Many lay claim to wearing these sandals
but few are worthy to touch
even the straps of Jesus’ sandals.
 
So I ask you the “Godless Ministers of God”
to remove those sandals from your feet
for you are not worthy
to have the name of Jesus
pass your lips
much less
wear His sandals.  
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“Many go by the title, ‘ Ministers of God,’  but few are worthy.”  Saying by John J. Rigo, Texas Poet and Commentator

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“Discovering The Sister I Never Had” copyright 2011 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , on March 12, 2012| 1 Comment »

Courtesy of Joni McPherson, Brother and Sister painting

 
There are times in our lives
that are very special
in a wonderous discovery.
I had finally found the Sister
I never had.
 
Such it was
in meeting you last night
in the conversation and time we shared.
 
When meeting a heart such as yours
I am more convinced than ever
that heaven truly exists.
A place where Love abounds.
 
Thank you for seeking me
before you left
and making me feel special
with two kisses
upon my cheek.
 
That evening after your exit
your departure left my heart sadden
without your presence. 

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“A First Love Remembered” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, upcoming, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

Posted in Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2012| 1 Comment »

 
 

Age seventeen, top row, third from left.

 
What time never erases
is memories of a first love.
A sweetness of innocence never regained again.
 
It was a brief five minutes that our eyes met that summer day.
I a young man with the blue uniform of a brand new Air Force Recruit.
Tall strong and youthful at seventeen
still in the midst of basic training at an Air Force Base.
 
You at sixteen with a beauty that was clear and eternal of the moment.
My bus was leaving,
the connection of our eyes was unmistakenable.
In just minutes we swore a forever love between us.
 
Truly that moment was a magic
that will never be again.
Two parts of a universe
meeting in a most unlikely place.
 
It has been fifty-one years since that meeting.
Still I remember you from time to time
in such vivid detail.
 
I wish you Love in the journey you took beyond
the days of our permanent separation
five years latter.
 
Was I then a vessel of a lost ship
for a very long time.
The haunting of a First Love
never leaves Love’s Way.
 

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"Reunion" Copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming poetry book "Passion Amidst Apathy"

Posted in McKinney Texas' Poetry site chosen to be "Top Editors Choice.", Poetry, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy", tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

 
 
 
Courtesy of totalfilm.comToday I thought of all the people
that touched my life with love.
Many are names remembered
and many sadly names that have been forgotten.
 
To each of you I render my love
and eternal appreciation for sharing
a part of yourselves with me.
 
Many of you I will never see again in this life.
Many of you have passed from this life.
 
We shall all met again
in God’s Love in our forever time together.
 
Cocoons for a short flicker of light
before unfolding our wings in eternal flight.

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