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:  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 Portion of My Library, October 1, 2013

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Beloved God, who created us in your image

and bestowed upon us intellect and artistry,

thank you for the insatiable desire to read and learn.

May none of us, due to culture, insecurity, or any other cause,

belittle or scorn this wonderful desire,

mocking others as eggheads or using any derogatory term.

Rather, may we thank you by pursuing and encouraging such helpful appetites

as those which train one’s mind properly and build up the community.

In the name of Christ.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 1, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, LORD SHAFTESBURY, BRITISH HUMANITARIAN AND SOCIAL REFORMER

THE FEAST OF SAINT REMIGIUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF RHEIMS

THE FEAST OF SAINT ROMANUS THE MELODIST, PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF SAINT THERESA OF LISIEUX, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-the-desire-to-read-and-learn/

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Above:  The Author on Sunday Afternoon, June 16, 2013

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God of graciousness,

yesterday I looked at images of myself and noticed light-colored hairs at my temples.

I have been aware of them for some time, of course,

but something about that image made a great impression on me.

I am aging yet am inwardly much younger than I look

while I am wiser for experiences over time.

Thank you for such wisdom combined with inner youthfulness.

May I use them for your glory and the benefit of others, not just myself.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JUNE 17, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS TERESA AND MAFALDA OF PORTUGAL, PRINCESSES, QUEENS, AND NUNS; AND OF SAINT SANCHIA OF PORTUGAL, PRINCESS AND NUN

THE FEAST OF SAINT EMILY DE VIALAR, FOUNDER OF THE SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH OF THE APPARITION

THE FEAST OF SAMUEL AND HENRIETTA BARNETT, ENGLISH SOCIAL REFORMERS

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-increased-wisdom-with-age/

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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 Fountain Pen

Image Source = Auyon

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Dear God of beauty,

you have granted literary ability and spiritual sensitivity to

N. and others, who have composed hymn texts.

May we, as you guide us,

find worthy hymn texts to be icons,

through which we see you.

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

Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 44:1-3a, 5-15

Psalm 147

Revelation 5:11-14

Luke 2:8-20

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 20, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS AMATOR OF AUXERRE AND GERMANUS OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; SAINT MAMERTINUS OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT; AND SAINT MARCIAN OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC MONK

THE FEAST OF JOHANNES BUGENHAGEN, GERMAN LUTHERAN PASTOR

THE FEAST OF SAINT MARCELLINUS OF EMBRUN, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF OLAVUS AND LAURENTIUS PETRI, RENEWERS OF THE CHURCH

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/proper-for-hymn-writers/

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Above:  The Author, November 7, 2012

(Photograph by the author via the computer camera)

The weather becomes colder,

Daylight Savings Time has ended,

darkness falls before 7:00 PM,

and the year has entered its final stretch.

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Where has the year gone?

It seems to have passed so quickly,

more rapidly than winged Mercury,

with greater speed than the Road Runner,

with a dizzying pace.

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Yet here we are,

in November.

Yet here we are,

close to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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May the rest of the year

be for all of us a time of blessings,

and may the  next year

be for all of us a time of even more blessings.

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May we all love God and each other actively,

behave charitably toward each other,

seek to understand each other,

and behave merely decently.

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May we act responsibly toward each other,

seek the common good,

upon which our own benefit depends,

and care for each other.

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May God bless others through us,

bless us through others,

and be evident in our midst,

in deeds more than in words.

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And may we be where we ought to be

when we ought to be there

doing what we ought to do

the way we ought to do it.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

NOVEMBER 9, 2012 COMMON ERA

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/time-and-vocations/

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Above:  Sunset

Image Source = Geraldbrowne

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knysnasunset.jpg)

Prayer Source = The Orthodox Study Bible (2008), page 1794

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Now that the day has come to a close, I thank You, O Lord,

and I ask that the evening with the night may be sinless;

grant this to me, O Savior, and save me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now that the day has passed, I glorify You, O Master,

and I ask that the evening, with the night may be without offense:

grant this to me, O Savior, and save me.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

Now that the day has run its course, I praise you, O Holy One,

and I ask that the evening with the night may be undisturbed;

grant this to me, O Savior and save me.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Above:  Hourglass

Image Source = User:S Sepp

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wooden_hourglass_3.jpg)

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http://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/SharonsBlog/tabid/758/EntryId/55/A-Prayer-for-the-New-Year.aspx

Here is a link to a prayer by the Reverend Doctor Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  I commend it to you, O reader.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 3, 2012 COMMON ERA

THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS