Heavenward ...

“Here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”

     ~ from the inspiring Inaugural Address of

     President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

       ~ 1917-1963

     ~ 35th President of the United States of America

        ~ 1960-1963

       & U.S. Navy veteran

An inspiring view of SS. Philip & James Roman Catholic Church in the historic downtown of Phillipsburg, New Jersey on an early July afternoon. The cornerstone was laid in 1860 for this magnificent Gothic structure, & the present edifice completed in 1889.

Phillipsburg, a Delaware River Town, was established March 8, 1861 and named for William Phillips, an early settler of the area.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow ...

“…I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me …”

 ~ “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

 ~ Gospel hymn

 ~1905

 ~ Civilla D. Martin, lyricist, Charles H. Gabriel, composer

~The hymn is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography

~ Mahalia Jackson’s recording of the song was honored with the

 Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2010

The theme of the song is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8); “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they?” (Matthew 6:26); and “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear yet not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31).

A sweet sparrow eyes the beauty of a late May sunset on a gorgeous spring evening at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.