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Friday, 7 June 2019

Yours, Lord, is The Greatness, the Power and the Glory.



Ever since discovering that the prayer in some forms of the Anglican communion service, commencing with the words of the title, was David’s thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 29.11) for the gifts which would enable the Temple to be built, I have felt drawn to wanting to use it as a framework for a meditation. It has taken a long time to come to fruition - but here it is. I hope it will prove helpful to some of you who are kind enough to read this blog.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.*

Your realm, Lord, is the realm of glory; the realm where Archangels, Angels, Apostles – both women and men, Martyrs, Saints and the souls of all the faithful give you ceaseless praise. 

From that eternal home, long ages before it was peopled, in your deep, deep Wisdom, you conceived the inspiration of a nurturing universe.

Then, at your Word, fundamental forces and streams of particles emerged to form an initially turbulent cosmic existence; time and space sprang into being.  

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.

With the passing of the ages, turbulence diminished and shape and form grew into the universe we are privileged to be able to observe with contemporary equipment.

Suns, planets, moons and asteroids emerged out of primeval dust and gases to form myriads of communities of galaxies.  

Around some planets, our exquisite earth being one, atmospheres, stratospheres and magnetospheres sprang up, protecting and enriching the environments of their hosts. 

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.

 Elements coalesced and on earth some combined to give rise to the possibility of life.

Life emerged and by amazing paths of evolution took diverse shapes and forms, some of which survived catastrophic extinctions and grew into innumerable species of creatures. 
            
As humans evolved from early ancestors, brains developed within us, eventually enabling us to bear witness to the glory of the universe and this planet’s wonderful ability to sustain  life.

May we grow in our longing to be good stewards of this shared home – yours and ours.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you

With intellect and understanding came also the seeds of evil and at a time and place of your choosing, you, Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made, took human form and came among us to redeem us by your cross and resurrection.

Our home became a planet of your visitation and we beheld your glory.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.

And in the last days, when heaven and earth will become as one, you Lord will be there to welcome all your faithful into that realm of glory, love, justice and peace.

May we be there with them, singing among our songs of praise this remembrance of the thanksgiving of David, King and prophet.

‘Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.’  AMEN

* adapted from 1Chronicles 29.11


© Trevor Thorn 2019

Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos

Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos
Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos

Cascade of Stars and Gas (Imagined image: CGI)

Cascade of Stars and Gas (Imagined image: CGI)
Cascade of Stars and Gases. This image will take you to the meditation 'Deep Silence'

Butterfly Nebula (CGI)

Butterfly Nebula (CGI)
The Imaginary Butterfly Nebula . Anything like this would be a real Curiosity! The image will link you to the reflection titled 'Curiosity' which is actually a celebration of the achievement of landing the Mars Rover of that name

Ten thousand billion suns - A scintilla of God’s Universe

Ten thousand billion suns - A scintilla of God’s Universe
It is currently thought that the Universe has at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars! Hence the use of the word ‘scintilla’ for a mere ten thousand billion.

Cross and Particle Accelerator (CGI)

Cross and Particle Accelerator (CGI)
Cross and Particle Accelerator. The words of 'A Prayer for Understanding' can be viewed by clicking on this image

Nebula (Embroidery)

Nebula (Embroidery)
Nebula (Embroidery) to accompany the poem 'Invitation' which can be found by clicking on the image.

Nativity Star (CGI)

Nativity Star (CGI)
Nativity Star: This image will link you to the collection of new Carols on this site. Also, the image can easily be copied onto an overhead acetate and used as a window decoration. Easy for children to achieve. Note the cross at the centre of the star.

Orange Galaxy

Orange Galaxy
'Orange Galaxy' posted to accompany 'Bounded and Boundless'. Go to the poem by clicking on the image.

Cosmic Ikon 8 Moth

Cosmic Ikon 8 Moth
Cosmic Ikon 8: Moth Nebula(imagined-acrylic) The Gold field of deep space is intended to convey the Lordship of Christ over the whole of the Cosmos

Surprise garden rose (Photo)

Surprise garden rose (Photo)
This beautiful head of roses in our garden, which are giving off a delightful perfume in the morning sun, seems a fitting picture to link to the sonnet 'Evolution and Beauty'. Let the picture take you there. It is a surprise because it is growing high on a bush of otherwise pure yellow roses: amazing!

Cross and Vortex

Cross and Vortex
'Cross and Vortex' to accompany 'Stars and Planets Sing Your Glory'. Click on the image to go to the poem/hymn.

Gaseous Cosmic Threads (Mixed media)

Gaseous Cosmic Threads (Mixed media)
Gaseous Cosmic Threads: Mixed media - acrylics and painted threads

St Francis’ Sky (Photo)

St Francis’ Sky (Photo)
Warm Umbrian Hills: Click image to take you to the poem St Francis' Sky

Cosmic Icon 7 Summerflower

Cosmic Icon 7 Summerflower
Cosmic Icon 7 - Summerflower Nebula (Acrylic)

Cosmic Labyrinth (CGI)

Cosmic Labyrinth (CGI)
'Cosmic Labyrinth' - This icon is a symbol of the path through the near reaches of the Cosmos with its 'Havens' where current advances in science (2012/13) are celebrated. By clicking on the picture you will be taken to the latest version of the poem of the same name.

Cross of Autumn Leaves (cropped Photo)

Cross of Autumn Leaves (cropped Photo)
Time, perhaps to consider a restorative break before the approach of Advent/ Christmas. Let this image take you to 'On Drawing Apart'.

IONA: The Marble Quarry (Photo)

IONA: The Marble Quarry (Photo)
On the South shore of Iona is a bay which shows the industrial scarring of a beautiful place. Read of it by clicking on the picture

Celtic cross candle (Photo)

Celtic cross candle (Photo)
Celtic Cross and candle' linked to the poem 'Awesome, Wonderful Creator'. Go to the poem by clicking on the image.

Light of the World amidst stars (CGI)

Light of the World amidst stars (CGI)
'Light of the world' posted to accompany 'To Light'. Find the poem by clicking on the image.

Iona from Fionnphort (Watercolour)

Iona from Fionnphort (Watercolour)
Iona from Fionnphort. At this point of the Isle of Mull, the end of a pilgrimage or trip to Iona is in sight. Click on this picture to take you to the poem 'IONA - The Pilgrim Way'

My Mesh Mask for Radiotherapy

My Mesh Mask for Radiotherapy
This is the mask which was moulded to my face to ensure the radiotherapy I had in April 2017 was precisely targeted. You can read more by clicking on the image

Double Celebration

Double Celebration
Pam, who has been magnificent in caring for me since my Cancer diagnosis in October and I celebrate the end of Radiotherapy and our 36th Wedding Anniversary (Note the return of some hair!). Click on the image to read about the treatment - and waiting.

St Neots Sunset (Photo)

St Neots Sunset (Photo)
Surrounded by beauty: Whie 'Evolution and Beauty' became one of the most viewed poems on this blog, Pam, my wife took this gorgeous picture of a sunset over the flatlands of Cambridgeshire UK. Click on it to go to the poem

Gabriel - written/painted by Pam, my wife in 2015

Gabriel - written/painted by Pam, my wife in 2015
Gabriel began the Christmas story with his visit to Mary. The story is told in our Christmas collection in the Carol, Go to Nazareth My Great Messenger. Click on this image to take you there.

Maple Leaf Nebula (CGI)

Maple Leaf Nebula (CGI)
IMAGINARY IMAGE TO CELEBRATE CANADA DAY: Click on this his imaginary 'Maple Leaf Nebula' to take you to a poem entitled 'Nebula' (image not to be confused with NGC 2024, the Flame Nebula which is also known as the Maple Leaf)

Beauty in the Garden - June 2016

Beauty in the Garden - June 2016
Beauty in the Garden - June 2016

Aurora Imagined over Iona (Watercolour & pastel)

Aurora Imagined over Iona (Watercolour & pastel)
First posted here on Adomnan’s day (23rd September) 2015. An imagined natural phenomenom that could be seen to resonate mystically with the idea of Iona being a ‘thin place’ where heaven brushes earth.

Assisi Sunset

Assisi Sunset
Assisi Sunset

Thinking about the Brain

Thinking about the Brain
This image is formed from a small section of neural pathways posted by the Koch Institute, clipped, part inverted and stitched together. It is intended to impart a sense of our extensive, but still partial understanding of what goes on in that awesome part of our bodies, our brains. By clicking on the image, you will be taken to a celebratory poem/song ‘For Amazement by Beauty’ about all of our senses.

Source (CGI by Trevor Thorn)

Source (CGI by Trevor Thorn)
Source: Expand the image to reveal its heart

Rainbow spiral (CGI)

Rainbow spiral (CGI)
'Rainbow Spiral' to accompany 'Darkness,Illuminator' . Find the poem by clicking on the iImagined mage

Cross and simple Prayer rope (Photo)

Cross and simple Prayer rope (Photo)
Cross and simple prayer rope: make one like this to use as an aid to using ‘The Jesus Prayer'