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 Hearth-Stone of the Poor–Waste Steam Not Wasted (1876), by Sol Eytinge, Jr.

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-USZ62-106379

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I wrote this prayer today, during a time especially cold weather in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.  There was a freeze warning last night.  Another one will follow tonight, with the promise of relatively warm, yet still cold, temperatures next week.  My home is a properly warm one, I am glad to say, but many people who live within a radius of a few miles are not as fortunate.  Meanwhile, Matthew 25:31-46 has been on my mind.

KRT

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Most compassionate God, father and mother whose quality is to be merciful,

we pray for all those who suffer from exposure to the elements.

Many of us who enjoy proper shelter take our manifold blessings for granted.

Those much less fortunate than we are might even live in close proximity to us

and we might dwell in blissful obliviousness to this reality.

Thus, when the cold, the heat, the snow, the wind, and the rain come

many of our fellow children of God do suffer mightily

as we, in our homes, enjoy a different reality

and might be unaware of this fact or just choose not to recognize it.

May our communities become more just.

 May we care for each other more effectively,

provide necessary and morally proper opportunities to our neighbors,

and obey the commandments of our brother, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ,

to his glory and the benefit of our communities.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 8, 2015 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT THORFINN OF HAMAR, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF GALILEO GALILEI, SCIENTIST

THE FEAST OF HARRIET BEDELL, EPISCOPAL DEACONESS

THE FEAST OF NATE SAINT AND THE OTHER MARTYRS OF THE ECUADOR MISSION, PROTESTANT MISSIONARIES

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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/a-prayer-for-those-who-suffer-from-exposure-to-the-elements/

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Above:  Construction of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Nondalton, Lake and Peninusla Borough, Alaska, 1990

Photographer = Jet Lowe

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = HABS AK,5-NODA,1–1

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Lord Jesus Christ, master craftsman of our salvation,

we thank you for those artisans who have glorified you with their skills

and for those who continue to do so.

May we, inspired by their positive examples,

glorify you with all our skills, no matter how mundane we think they are.

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

Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 38:24-34

Psalm 86:1-13

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Matthew 13:54-58

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014 COMMON ERA

PROPER 19:  THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2014/09/14/proper-for-artisans/

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Above:  The Original Text

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Loving God, who loves us, mourns with us, and rejoices with us,

the death of dreams and aspirations is among the most traumatic losses to endure.

It cuts to the emotional core of a person, causing great anguish, grief, and anger.

Regardless if the dream was indeed the one a person should have followed

(assuming that it was not morally wrong, of course),

the pain and disappointment are legitimate, I suppose.

I have known these emotions in this context more than once.

I wish them upon nobody, not even those who inflicted them upon me.

May we, by grace, function as your ministers of comfort

to those experiencing such a death or the aftermath of one

and who are near us or whom you send our way.

And may we, by grace, help others achieve their potential

and refrain from inflicting such pain upon others.

In the name of Jesus, who identified with us, suffered, died, and rose again.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 19, 2014 COMMON ERA

HOLY SATURDAY, YEAR A

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:  Quill Pen

(Image in the Public Domain)

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God of grace and glory,

you have given a rich variety of interests and talents to us; thank you.

Thank you for those who have served you and helped their fellow human beings

in their daily lives habitually via their vocations yet most memorably their avocations,

and for those who do so.

May we, reminded of and encouraged in our responsibilities to you and each other by their examples,

continue faithfully in the endeavors you assign us.

In the name of Jesus, who came to serve, not to be served.  Amen.

Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 38:24-34a

Psalm 33

Romans 14:7-8

Matthew 5:13-16

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 14, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF WILLIAM CROFT, ANGLICAN ORGANIST AND COMPOSER

THE FEAST OF JONATHAN MYRICK DANIELS, EPISCOPAL SEMINARIAN AND MARTYR

THE FEAST OF SAINT MAXIMILLIAN KOLBE, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/proper-for-those-who-serve-god-and-who-have-served-god-most-memorably-via-their-avocations/

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Above:  Marie and Randolph the Teddy Bears, July 3, 2013

Image Taken Via My Computer Camera

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Love, O God,

was a state into which I doubted once that I might fall.

When it did begin to occur,

I needed over a year to understand what was happening to me.

This love has enabled me to aid my beloved

(with admittedly limited success sometimes) under difficult circumstances,

but it did empower me to that much

–which mattered at the time–

at least.

Love, by which I delight in her,

requires much of me and has hurt.

Yet it has persisted.

And it has made me a better man,

a rejuvenated person,

and a grateful individual.

Thank you.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 4, 2013 COMMON ERA

PROPER 13–THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C

THE FEAST OF J. ROBERT HARRIS, SOUTHERN BAPTIST WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN BAPTIST VIANNEY, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-love/

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