Light

 

Praise God! How good it is
to sing praises to our God;
for God is gracious,
and a song of praise is fitting.

God builds up Jerusalem;
God gathers the outcasts of Israel.

God heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.

God determines the number of the stars;
God gives to all of them their names.

Great is our God, and abundant in power;
whose understanding is beyond measure.

God lifts up the downtrodden;
God casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to God with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.

God covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.

God gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.

God has no delight in the strength of the horse,
nor pleasure in the speed of a runner;

but God takes pleasure in those who fear God,
in those who hope in God's steadfast love.

Praise be to God!

 

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

 

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Third Class Carriage

DAUMIER, Honoré, 1808-1879

Palace of the Legion of Honor

San Francisco, CA

http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20120202359985351&code=ACT&RC=54940&Row=1

 

The Third Class Carriage theme (he did several variations) reflects Daumier's sympathy for the working class. The artist was caustic in his caricatures of the bourgeoisie and politicians, but here he creates a sensitive portrayal of withdrawn, impoverished, and isolated passengers. They sit in the dimly-lit carriage, absorbed in their thoughts.

http://www.gallery.ca/en/see/collections/artwork.php?mkey=116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.

~ Helen Keller

 

 

 

The challenge of leadership is to

be strong, but not rude;

be kind, but not weak;

be bold, but not bully;

be thoughtful, but not lazy;

be humble, but not timid;

be proud, but not arrogant;

have humor, but without folly.

~ Jim Rohn


YouTube: some more quotes of Jim Rohn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVjBJ1ZcXLU

 

 

 

 

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Peggy and Pat at Painted Toe on Monday.

 

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Peggy is doing very different work lately; filled with energy!

 

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Our “Walkies” foursome went to the Black Hat in Kittredge …

 

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… to celebrate Sharron’s birthday.

 

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A gentle but long-lasting BIG snow!

Just about everything closed down.

 

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A short break before it started again.

I didn’t even want to open the door to take a picture.

 

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Evergreen, Colorado
Deer in the snow (poor baby).

from The Denver Channel
(I did not take this photo.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still - in each new dawn.

~ Native American poem

 

 

 

February 5, 2012    Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Previous OPQs may be found at:

       http://www.dotjack.com/opq.htm

 



As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

 

Mark 1: 29-39

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein

Mark01v29to39_2012.jpg

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

February 2nd

Feast of the Presentation/Candlemas

Taking a cue from Simeon, some churches began, in time, to mark this day with a celebration of light: the Candle Mass, during which priests would bless the candles to be used in the year to come. Coinciding with the turn toward spring and lengthening of light in the Northern Hemisphere, Candlemas offers a liturgical celebration of the renewing of light and life that comes to us in the natural world at this time of year, as well as in the story of Jesus. As we emerge from the deep of winter, the feast reminds us of the perpetual presence of Christ our Light in every season.

http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/01/feast-of-the-presentationcandlemas-2/

 

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The Candleman

James C. Christensen

If you wander through the cobblestone streets at night, you can feel secure in the circle of light cast by The Candleman. Here, the children, wide-eyed and wondering, will be safe though it's late and they're far from home. The trusty Candleman will escort them through the still silence of the snow covered streets by the light of his torch and his hat abrim with burning candles. In James C. Christensen's marvelous world "just a little left of reality," The Candleman, like a friendly crossing guard you may remember from your school days, keeps a loving and watchful eye on everyone in his care.

http://www.hiddenridgegallery.com/store/james-christensen/the-candleman.html

 

 

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won't come again.

~ English saying

 

 

groundhogday.gifgroundhogday2.gif

http://www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm

 

 

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Isa. 40:21–31

Ps. 147:1–11, 20c

1 Cor. 9:16–23

Mark 1:29–39