Remembrance

Remembrance

Shalom!

The eleventh hour,

The eleventh day,

The eleventh month,

Tumult paused,

The guns fall silent,

This is Armistice Day,

Two minutes,

Two minutes in busy lives,

Remembering,

Those who gave,

Made the ultimate sacrifice,

And the wounded,

All who served,

Willingly,

Generously,

For our freedom.

We do not celebrate war,

The barbarian acts,

Man’s cruelty to fellow man,

His greed and self-seeking,

This is a moment of thanksgiving,

Gratitude,

To all the brave,

Those who gave their all for us,

The price they gladly paid.

Let it not be in vain,

May we too value life,

 Freedom,

All that cost so dear,

Make our lives,

A memorial,

A fitting tribute,

 To valour,

Endeavour and sacrifice.

Shalom!

Patrick R.
November 2009

Grace

Grace.

In the dark, blackest night; gloom that blinds the captive,

The endless days, hopeless, worried eternities of despair,

When all we say or do seems wrong; no answer ever right,

It’s then that God, unseen, is there to gently say, “I care.”

We cannot ever fully know how deep, how great the love,

That holds us close each, every moment: Even times when,

Wearied beyond the wit of man, hope is lost without trace,

Our heavenly Father is there loving; arms held wide open.

Stand amazed, breathless, lost in awe and great wonder,

None can begin to know, to imagine the times, and ways,

The silent, unspoken prayers of desperate hearts are heard,

And God answers not as we expect but with what’s best!

Patrick R.
March 2009

Receive to Give

Receive to Give.

It is so good to be able to give,

Freely with no thought of me,

To simply enjoy friends’ delight,

At smallest unexpected acts,

And yes, we feel so good!

Giving is better than receiving,

simply putting all other’s first,

Or is it?

Have we paused to consider,

Consider our friends’ feelings,

When all we ever, ever do is give,

Some small trinket or cash gift,

Yet perhaps fail to give ourselves?

Are friends’ smiles those of delight?

Or fixed grins grimaces of real fear,

Faced with our tsunami of kindness,

Our well-meaning, blind generosity,

Perhaps they fear our true motives,

Those we do not know ourselves,

Do we seek to own them?

Sell ourselves short buying love,

Never realising,

We are truly loved for ourselves,

The kindly friend we are to them.

Before we can give effectively,

It’s now time to learn to receive,

To know our actions true effect,

So then we can give ourselves,

And our giving will bring such joy.

Patrick R.
February 2010

No Man Listener

No Man Listener.

I am privileged to be me,

To listen

Hear

Offer a smile in return,

The sure hand of a friend

Freely offered

Never seeking any reward,

Except

Privileges that cost nothing

Joy of giving myself freely,

Hope that dispels darkness

Despair; the legacy of today

The possibility the smile; words

Thoughts of the no man listener

May have encouraged,

Sent you my fellow man

On your homeward journey,

Your heart less troubled,

Your foot lighter,

And dare I even hope

Smiling

Lifting the veil of tragedy

For others o this pilgrim way,

A gift from this man,

The rich man with nothing!

Patrick R.
February 2013.

Lenten Abstinence

Lenten Abstinence.

A friend has given up Facebook for Lent!

I was tempted to be really cruel; to respond "Peace at last!"

On reflection I felt that would not be fair or the correct thing to do. We will miss her contributions.

Why do we give things up - Facebook, chocolates, cigarettes, et al?

Who really benefits and gets the glory for our act of selflessness?

Lent is a time of preparation.

Should we be saying, "Lord, teach me your will. What little extra can I offer this season of Lent?

Father empower me by your Holy Spirit to be obedient to your will; to give in your strength not only

during this season of Lent but in the days that follow too."

There is, for example, the false gospel of thou "shalt not" smoke or drink. What is the scriptural

authority for it? The Gospel is positive not negative! If we try to do any of these things in our own

strength then we glorify man not God. What do we achieve that is of lasting benefit?

This Lent why not say "What can I give not what can I give up?" I believe God will bless our giving!

Patrick R.
March 2011

Mothers Day

Mothers Day

Darling, this today is your special day,

Time to salute you, truly say I love you,

Thank you for the precious, gentle love

That gave me life dearest, best friend.

No words, no thoughts can ever express

Those feelings, emotions that overwhelm,

Filling my heart with peace and gratitude,

Each moment I remember my best friend.

Patrick R.
March 2009

A Secret

A Secret.

This is a great secret seldom told,

Forgotten as days unfold!

One person gave us life today,

Made us glad to live this way!

The least we can do is this,

Help our Mum to life of bliss!

Ensure her memories are sweet,

Children never be indiscreet!

Simply with the fondest love ever

Cherish your Mum forever.

Long the days when she is gone,

And we remember all our wrong!

Our failure to say one simple thing,

“I love you Mum!” Let the words ring!

Patrick R.
January 2013.

For Real: For True

For Real: For True.

My friend; believe; this is the truth,

Something real; honest,

Honourable,

My word; handshake,

As I tell you simply this,

You are loved; respected

Simply ‘cos you’re you,

Unique; so special

With charm that’s yours alone,

Gifts only you can share

Making this world a better place

Without the need to try,

Just simply being the real you,

Rewarding me with this prize,

The joy of your company,

Laughter; your gentleness,

And above all else

Your friendship!

Patrick R.
January 2013.

To Love

To Love.

To love truly; love deeply,

With a heart that’s true,

Is to let go of all of self,

Our hopes and fears,

All cherished ambition,

And simply to accept,

You,

You just as you are,

You just ‘cos you’re you,

The one we love,

Whose friendship we cherish,

Who means the world to us,

And,

To whom we offer our all,

For you are you

Just as you are; just as we met,

And fell in love!

Patrick R.
September 2011

A Smile

A Smile.

Life is too short,

Too short for war,

Life is too cruel,

Too hard for unkindness,

Life is too precious,

Too good to be wasted

On petty mean disputes,

Point scoring,

Creating mindless sadness,

Worry,

Inconvenience.

Why not offer a smile

A kind word

They are free; cost nothing,

Hurt less than a frown,

A scowl,

A hastily foolish word,

Ease life’s upward path,

And more than even this

Bring joy and pleasure

To you

The giver!

Patrick R.
September 2011.

Complexity

Complexity.

Three Sudoku puzzles!

The challenging puzzle was easy; the two easy puzzles challenging!

Is this a mirror on life today?

How often do we make life; friendships; relationships more complicated than necessary! We always

seem to seek hidden meanings or agendas.

The greatest mystery; God’s perfect love is the simplest thing in the world for all of us to understand.

Our Lord’s first disciples were simple men; unschooled; fishermen. Even the youngest child can

respond to love.

Lord grant us a new beginning; the gift of simple understanding; to live our lives as You would have

us live them.

Patrick R.
December 2012.

Big Bang

Big Bang.

Fido enjoyed dinner. Meat; gravy; evidence was over the floor and the walls. It was a mess.

The chimney exploded; crumbled. Debris scattered in every direction.

Two “Big Bangs!” Total confusion!

Despite all man’s worst efforts there remains order in this world. Day follows night; sunset comes

after sunrise; the sea knows its boundaries; the sun, moon and stars continue on their orbit; they do

not fall from the skies.

What has been for millions of years still is!

No explosion; no “Big Bang” could create order; this legacy for all eternity.

Only the master creator created order.

Patrick R.
December 2012

Tee Hee

Tee Hee.

He was enchanted. Tiny eyes sparkled open wide with excitement, His face beamed as he gurgled;
tiny hands clapped out of time; his toes waved messages only he understood. He was too young;
too innocent to know this was Christmas. He had not been bewitched by the spirit of the age. All he
knew was that it was good; he was surrounded by love.

What will this Christmas mean to each one of us?

May God grant each one of us the childlike innocence; simplicity that will enable us to understand;
treasure the true meaning of unfailing love.

Patrick R.
December 2012.

Giving

Giving.

The only gift of true value anyone of us can give is the one that is offered freely, without conditions, with love
and no thought of any reward. Anything else is damaged goods, without worth and simply an end to a means; our own satisfaction and glorification!

At this Christmas season, and as we give, Father may we all always remember that special free gift given
for each one of us; the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus, your only Son, our Lord and Saviour. May we
always give as you give that your name may be glorified.

Patrick R.
December 2012.

Live Today

Live Today.

Man’s foolish wisdom,

A little learning

Without real understanding,

Foretell

The end is nigh,

Despite our Lord’s words,

“None shall know

The date; time of His return,”

For we are to be prepared,

Live

Seeking first His Kingdom,

As if dear friend

Every day

Each moment was our last,

Our opportunity

To proclaim His Kingdom,

Live in newness of life

Ever expectant,

In harmony with our Lord,

Our God,

Ever singing,

A hymn of praise; love

Celebration,

Our Redeemer lives!

Patrick R.
December 2012.

Testimony

Testimony.

My words announce me,

My life is testimony

To the love of God!

Patrick R.
December 2012

Shout

Shout.

Stop; listen and hear,

Hallelujah,

Our Lord is risen,

Unite today in celebration,

Tell the good news to all!

Patrick R.
December 2012.

Tee Hee

Tee Hee.

He was enchanted. Tiny eyes sparkled open wide with excitement, His face beamed as he gurgled;

tiny hands clapped out of time; his toes waved messages only he understood. He was too young;

too innocent to know this was Christmas. He had not been bewitched by the spirit of the age. All he

knew was that it was good; he was surrounded by love.

What will this Christmas mean to each one of us?

May God grant each one of us the childlike innocence; simplicity that will enable us to understand;

treasure the true meaning of unfailing love.

Patrick R.
December 2012.

A selection of new poems from Patrick Rigg

I have just had a wonderful hour adding these poems to the blog. Patrick has a real gift and several of these poems spoke directly to me as I read and published them.

'Gifts' struck a cord, it summed up the support not only Christ gives me, but the support my friends and family always provide just when I need it. 'I Am a Rich Man' is lovely as well, it made me smile to think someone could mistake Patrick for a man with money, he is well spoken, kind and gracious, but if your eyes are open you can see he carries all he owns with him, but as he tells himself he is definitely a rich man.

I hope you enjoy Patrick's latest batch of poems, and if you do the entire collection he has shared with me is published here. Poems by Patrick Rigg

New Poems
A Reason for Honesty
I Must Learn
Living Future
I: Superior Being
Welcome
Gifts
Education
Loveliness
Meditation
Hearing
I Am a Rich Man
Fallen Hero
The Plateau

The Plateau

The Plateau.

This mountain is steep,

A long road,

And now today,

I have reached

A plateau,

It is time to relax,

Take refreshment,

Prepare for the climb,

Perhaps look back,

Reflect,

Enjoy victories claimed,

Consider

Lessons in my memory,

Right

The occasional wrong,

Never seduced,

Victim of deceiver’s lie,

Treasuring

My tears,

The tears of joy and sorrow,

All that brings healing,

Encouragement,

New life,

For I am a bond man,

Set free in Christ’s love,

To enjoy,

Enjoy living risen life,

Then

Raised high on eagles’ wings,

Renewed anew; refreshed,

Full of hope,

The gift of God to men,

I press on

Triumphal,

Ever praising,

Towards my goal

The high calling

Which is Dad’s prize

For me,

And all who by adoption

He calls sons.

Patrick R.
September 2012.