Daily Devotions - Week of 09.24.07

MONDAY:
Perspectives

"Wait for God; be strong, let your heart take courage; wait for God."
—Words from a old song, Psalm 27:14

I've been reviewing some of my devotions from the past and I'd like to start the week sharing this devotion written for the last Monday of September in 2005:

In the last ten minutes I've received three e-mails and I want to share a little bit from each one of them!

E-mail 1: From Missionaries in Honduras
"We constantly think about keeping safe, whether from parasites in the water or from violence in the streets... We struggle with the reality of extreme poverty... We feel frustration each time we go through the hospital system and its long lines... We feel overwhelmed by the problems in the villages. "

E-mail 2: From Mr. Dawes about the Health Care Infrastructure of New Orleans
"Essentially the health care infrastructure of New Orleans is gone - it no longer exists, " said Joe Cappiello from JCAHO.

E-mail 3: From an Associate at HRH who forwarded an e-mail titled, "I am thankful"
The e-mail lists a dozen reasons (with brief explanations) why the author is thankful. For example: "I am thankful for my huge heating bill... because it means I am warm."

As we begin this new week we are keenly aware that millions around the world are surviving in ways we find difficult to even imagine. Sometimes in our sheltered and safe existence we are tempted to complain. Thinking of the grieving souls, the starving souls, the homeless souls!

Pray for them!

Approach your day with thankfulness and gratitude for life and join with all our brothers and sisters as we wait for the Lord.

-Ben Keckler 09.24.07



TUESDAY:
Musing About Friendship

"Do not forsake your friend..."
-A wisdom phrase (Proverbs 27:10)

One of the joys of fall that happens across our land is found at tailgate parties. Some are on Friday evening -- high school events; some are on Saturday - college events; and some are on Sunday -- professional events. I personally like going to college games, particularly a Purdue game as many of you may know.

For years I've held season tickets for Purdue games, but this year Cheryl and I decided to surrender them and use as many weekends as possible to touch hurting hearts rather than relaxing and tailgating. September 15 we didn't have anything planned and Purdue had a home game. Guess what happened?

Early in the week one of our friends whom we've entertained at tailgates called me and offered me tickets for the game. It is absolutely amazing how friendship works! I got to enjoy a 2007 tailgate at Purdue! What you give, you receive.

A prayer: Thank you God for the gift of friendship. Accept my gratitude today. Amen.

--Ben Keckler 09.25.07



WEDNESDAY:
A Reason To Give Thanks

"Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them,
'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth...
I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants..'"
-From the story of Noah
(Genesis 9, selected verses)

Friends: Some of you have read this musing before (the numbers have been updated for another year). I use this devotion annually for a reason; I'm sure it will make sense as you read it.

78 years ago my grandfather (Ben Keckler, Sr.) was ordained as a minister. My father ("Junior" as his brothers and sisters knew him) is still an active ordained minister and, of course, Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after more than 32 years of active ordained ministry. Just as the story of family and covenant relationship with God is told in the Noah story, so centuries later I can tell a story of God's blessing. I am grateful for family.

I wish there was a way to know the number of sermons, bible studies, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. where a person named Ben Keckler has provided pastoral care during the last 78 years. I think about the thousands and thousands of home and hospital visits that grandpa, dad and I have experienced. It is overwhelming to realize how many people have invited us into their lives to share God's amazing grace with them.

I am filled with gratitude today for a loving God, a faithful family and a wonderful heritage. Believe me when I tell you that God is good. In the midst of all the STUFF we go through, I can honestly tell you that God is in love with this world and will not keep it a secret. Even with disasters around us, I believe. God bless your care-giving today!

A prayer: Thank you God for the gift of family and the gift of your love. Amen.

--Ben Keckler 09.26.07



THURSDAY
Reaching Out To Others

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering
you in my prayers. "
—A follower (Ephesians 1:15)

What a privilege to work side by side with people who care! When you hear the stories from New Orleans these days you realize that recovery from disasters takes a lot of time. It is not pleasant. Over the years many of us have participated in relief efforts brought on by both hurricanes and earthquakes. It is not pleasant. New occasions teach new duties and when disaster strikes, new opportunities and new challenges emerge.

HRH associates are known for outstanding support when others are in need. Your wonderful response is really not surprising! Regularly we are given opportunities to share (United Way, Food Banks, etc). Thank you for demonstrating your compassionate spirits of faith.

In recent weeks I've heard a number of stories that confirm how we do our work in this place. Regularly I am asked specific questions about the spirit of generosity that exists at HRH. Wow! Reaching out to others is so important and I give thanks for the way you share from your heart.
Thank you.

A prayer: Thanks be to you, O God, for compassion demonstrated in the workplace. Amen.

--Ben Keckler 09.27.07



FRIDAY:
Some Thoughts For The Weekend

"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God, When shall I come and behold the face of God?"
--Psalm 42:2

Remembering an Acquaintance

Over the years we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having spent several weeks listening to Henri Nouwen and sitting at dinner with him on three occasions, he feels like a friend, but a better term is probably "acquaintance." Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death, but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.

The rhythms of the past week have brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following excerpt, from the chapter on recovery:

"The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection, the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being 'better again' was indeed the best thing for me."

Maybe these reflective words from a fellow journeyer can help in understanding what the Psalmist was wrestling with centuries ago. Have a good day, a blessed weekend, and enjoy every minute of life.

A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.

--Ben Keckler 09.28.07