"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, February 27, 2015

A Prayer, A Poem, Lent & Dragons.



1. This is from “Your Daily Tripod.” It is the Firefighter’s Prayer. They protect and serve without regard to themselves. Please take a moment to read this prayer.

When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property.
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.  Amen.

Our son Stephen

2. A poem by Tom Schoenherr.

Today,
Snow blankets the scenery,
White smoke pours from chimneys,
Writing gnaws at my soul,
No words to pray
Today.
Longing for peace-filled thoughts,
Hoping for new life,
Doubting your presence,
No words to pray
Today,
Where comes the Spirit?
Where come the sighings?
Where lie deep thoughts?
Where comes the crying?
Today,
My mind settles in,
My spirit centers my soul,
I rest my open hands upon
My knees. I wait,
I listen.
You are here
Today.

3. Lent is here and I have not really gotten into it. There are no excuses. So as my mind wanders through the fog of indecision I see a clearing ahead of me. It is a beautiful “action” from the writing of Rev. Joe McCloskey, SJ. One so simple yet powerful enough to bring tears to my eyes.

Action
“For each complaint about another and how our world is going to hell, I will try to change what I might have said that would have been poor mouthing the efforts of another.  I will try to encourage rather than discourage.  I will try to be a helping hand even when it delays me and what I need to do.  I will say something positive about the others and my world.  I will try to build up my world by positive actions and encouragement.  I will go without something that is a luxury in my life for the sake of all those who cannot find the essentials for life.  Each day I will pass up rather than pass down my stomach the desserts that pleasure my life.  For the sake of bringing pleasure to the people I serve, I will try to feel hunger at one of the meals of each day.  I will try to leave the meal still hungry for all those who do not have the possibility of eating what they need to survive.  In short, I will work to make my Lent something positive I do for others for the sake of Christ and a better world.”

4. Linda Ronstadt - “Long Long Time.”


5. Our oldest grandson Justin loves dinosaurs and dragons. Some day I expect he will become a paleontologist. While he and his family were visiting last week he painted a couple of miniature dragons that I had purchased for him. The miniatures are from Ral Partha.

Justin's Gold Dragon
Justin's Red Wyvern

6. The Spiders defeated VCU last Wednesday evening. Dee and I were there enjoying the enthusiasm and energy of the crowd.

"ShawnDre' Jones scored 22 points off the bench as Richmond upset VCU 67-63 in double overtime. The Spiders haven’t won back-to-back games against VCU since Feb 2001."

The fans were energized and loud, supporting their teams throughout the game. Both teams played hard with VCU tying the game for the first overtime. The Spiders then tied the game sending it into the second overtime. ESPN covered the game and you can see video highlights here.


ShawnDre' Jones
The Fans Celebrate

7. I wasn't going to mention snow, arctic vortex, ice nor freezing temperatures. Then our good friend posted this on Facebook. I am a Minion fan and couldn't resist showing it here. Thank you Pat.


  


Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."

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