Above:  Athens, Georgia, January 24, 2016, 3:27 P.M.

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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O LORD, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom you have make them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

–Psalm 104:24, Revised Standard Version–Second Catholic Edition (2002)

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Thank you, great God, for all your wonders,

especially the beauty of nature, of which we are part.

Thank you in particular for the splendor of flowing water,

especially that which, cascading over rock,

rides across uneven surfaces and jumps into the air

on its journey.

In the Name of God:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 26, 2016 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS TIMOTHY, TITUS, AND SILAS, COWORKERS OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE

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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-the-beauty-of-flowing-water/

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Above:  Athens, Georgia, January 16, 2016, 6:25 P.M.

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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The Mighty One, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

–Psalm 50:1-2, Revised Standard Version–Second Catholic Edition (2002)

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God of beauty and magnificence, the heavens proclaim your glory.

Thank you for natural wonders, especially the loveliness of dusk,

as light fades into darkness, departing with splendid hues

until the glorious dawn just a few hours later.

The beauty of nature reminds us that you

are the greatest artist we have encountered.

We stand in awe and wonder before you;

our knees bend, our heads bow, and our voices crack

in praise and respect of you.

In the Name of God:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 26, 2016 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS TIMOTHY, TITUS, AND SILAS, COWORKERS OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE

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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-the-beauty-of-dusk/

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Above:  Leslie Catherine Taylor, Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

I have not seen her since April 12.

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O God, who declared the created order to be good,

you have granted us the pleasure of animal companions

and the responsibility to care for them.

These relationships, when they are what they ought to be,

are reciprocal, improving the quality of life of all involved.

Sometimes, however, a pet disappears.

Keep lost pets safe, dear Lord, comfort them, and guide them home.

Likewise, I ask you to comfort the bereft humans

and guide them to take proper actions.

May family reunions occur in a timely manner

and such partings never happen again.

When, however, the separation is permanent,

may abundant grace bring healing for all who need it,

and may the lost pet be safe in your care.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 18, 2015 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF DONALD S. ARMENTROUT, U.S. LUTHERAN MINISTER AND SCHOLAR

THE FEAST OF CALVIN WEISS LAUFER, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND HYMNODIST

THE FEAST OF ROGER WILLIAMS, FOUNDER OF RHODE ISLAND

THE FEAST OF WILLIAM PENNEFATHER, ANGLICAN PRIEST, HUMANITARIAN, AND HYMN WRITER; AND HIS WIFE, CATHERINE KING PENNEFATHER, HUMANITARIAN AND HYMN WRITER

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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/a-prayer-for-lost-pets-and-their-humans/

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Above:  The Flag of Vanuatu

Image in the Public Domain

A BBC News Story

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Compassionate God, whose Son wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus:

Draw near to the people of Vanuatu in this time of sorrow and anguish,

comfort those who mourn,

strengthen those who are weary,

encourage those in despair,

and lead them all to fullness of life;

through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Job 14:7-13 or Jeremiah 31:15-20

Romans 8:35-38 or Revelation 21:1-7 or Romans 8:18-25

Luke 6:20-26 or Mark 13:14-27

–Adapted from Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 733

Above:  Part of the Rough Draft of This Post

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Beloved God of nature, who causes the natural cycles to repeat

year after year, causing good things to happen in due season,

thank you for Autumn.

Thank you for the cooler temperatures,

the colorful leaves,

and the leafy carpet on the ground.

Thank you for the refreshment which this season brings after Summer.

And thank you for the delightful and beneficial activities

which occur in the cooler weather.

In your name we pray.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 18, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST, PHYSICIAN

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-autumn/

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Above:  A Squirrel, Circa 1913

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/99614467/)

Reproduction  Number = LC-DIG-ppmsc-01742

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Creative God, thank you for all that is delightful and beautiful in nature.

Thank you in particular for squirrels, who dart about so adorably;

for turtles, who go about their lives so deliberately;

and for wildflowers, which decorate hills and fields so nicely,

creating a multicolored landscape to see.

Thank you for all blessings, of course,

but now, especially for those three.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 26, 2013 COMMON ERA

TRINITY SUNDAY:  THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C

THE FEAST OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

THE FEAST OF SAINT PHILIP NERI, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-squirrels-turtles-and-wildflowers/

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Above:  A Squirrel

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/99614467/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-ppmsc-01742

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Litany Source = The Reverend Doctor Chris Ayers

Pastor, Wedgewood Chuch (United Church of Christ), Charlotte, North Carolina

http://www.liberalbaptistrev.com/

http://wedgewoodchurch.com/

Litany Posted on Facebook, January 16, 2013

Litany Reposted Here with Permission

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One:        May God enable us to scamper like a chipmunk.

Many:    May the Holy One enable us to sing like a lark.

One:        May the Creator enable us to be as determined as a squirrel.

Many:    May the Divine Mystery enable us to marvel like a beagle at all the scents of the earth.

One:        May the hope of Israel and the world enable us to be as good of a companion as a lap dog.

All:          Let us worship the Alpha and Omega who made all that is and makes all that will be.

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Base of a Redwood Tree

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 19

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

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If I go to the sea, you are there.

If I go to the forests, you are there.

If I enter the city, you are there

in everyone and everything I see.

Open my eyes to your goodness

that is everywhere around me.

Give me a heart that delights in your infinite creativity.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/devotion-for-the-eighth-and-ninth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/eighth-day-of-lent/

Blue Hills

An Image I Found Installed on My Computer

Thank you, God, for this beautiful day.

Nature is stunningly beautiful–

a visual, audio, and olfactory feast.

Birds sing,

crickets chirp,

and cats vocalize.

Mountains astound us with their majesty,

plains amaze us with their expansiveness,

and valleys move us to awe and wonder with their beauty.

The sky seems like a magnificent dome,

and the soil nurtures much of our food.

We praise and thank you

for the endless grandeur and beauty of creation.

Amen.

God of grace and glory, you create and sustain the universe in majesty and beauty:  We thank you for [N. and] all in whom you have planted the desire to know your creation and to explore your work and wisdom.  Lead us, like them, to understand better the wonder and mystery of creation; through Christ you eternal Word, through whom all things were made.  Amen.

Genesis 2:9-20

Psalm 34:8-14

2 Corinthians 13:1-6

John 20:24-27

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), of The Episcopal Church