Daily Devotions - Friday 11.30.07

Reflecting on Last Week

“You who live in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
say to the Lord,
‘My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.’”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 91:1, 2)

We are all aware of the social structures that are part of societies. On Thanksgiving Day 2007, I was able to be a part of a "little thing" in Central Indiana that brought people of different social structures together. It was neat. Those who gathered at the Keckler household for Thanksgiving spent the morning volunteering for an event known as the Drumstick Dash, a benefit run/walk through Broad Ripple for Wheeler Mission. We've been doing this for 5 years and really enjoy the experience.

Our assignment was registering the participants. As we registered several thousand who were going to dash, I observed that a few of the participants were "the poor" who wanted to express their thanks for caring people by joining in the 4.5 mile course. Observing this gathering made my heart feel good. Serving coffee and other breakfast foods was a highlight of Turkey Day 2007. I plan to participate every year that we are home for the holiday.

Realizing that the poor will always be a part of our lives and that most of us could be there quickly if our fortunes changed, I offer this prayer to conclude our November devotions:

All-knowing God, show us the poor—
Not just the ones who have been pushed aside in the wake of competition,
but the ones who are losing self-confidence,
the ones who are victims of the system they helped to build,
the ones whose jobs no longer exist.

Show us that there also is a poverty of the heart
when saving is more important than sharing.
Help us to find security in sharing all our resources so that through our total effort,
we will answer your call,
we will learn the value of kinship with all,
and we will discover that sharing by all can mean scarcity for none.

Have a wonderful weekend in whatever you do.

-Ben Keckler 11.30.07

Daily Devotions - Thursday 11.29.07

Healing Words

“You who live in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
say to the Lord,
‘My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.’”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 91:1, 2)


One hymn writer wrote:


Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices
Who wondrous things have done
In you this world rejoices.
Who from our mother’s arms,
You’ve blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
Which still are ours today.

Today is another day where we practice the art of care giving while others are on-call and still others enjoy a day off. THANK YOU to all who are working today. Sometimes we just don't get to hear those simple words that mean so much.


We have all been blessed with countless gifts of love and today, whether in our homes or at work, I trust that we will stop and be thankful.


A prayer for today: Gracious God, help me to see you more clearly and love you more dearly as I live today in thanksgiving to You. Amen.

-Ben Keckler 11.29.07

Daily Devotions - Wednesday 11.28.07

• Healing Words
  
  “You who live in the shelter of the Lord,
  who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
  say to the Lord,
  ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.’”
  -A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 91:1, 2)
  

A little “groaner” now that you’ve enjoyed your holiday consumption;
Why do we have three different names for that bread mixture that cooks inside the turkey?

• Well, if you eat only one serving, it is best to call it dressing.


• But, because it is so good and we have a second serving, some like to call it filling.


• Only in America, is there enough to have a bit more. So that makes it stuffing!

It is hard to fathom, but it is true. Last week there were at least several hundred thousand (actually it’s probably in the millions) pies baked that would not normally be baked on a Wednesday/Thursday in our great land. More bread was purchased than on any other day of the year. And the list goes on!


In metro Indianapolis more than 25,000 meals were delivered to families who could not support a Thanksgiving feast on their own. In addition there were a number of places where free meals were served. Realizing our blessings, we share with our brothers and sisters. It is good to remember that hungry people will be around us throughout these next months of the winter season. Canned goods for food banks are so very helpful. Making regular donations demonstrates our thankful spirit all winter long!



Allow me to conclude today's devotions with this prayer for the hungry:


God of our lives,
Help us always remember that it is you whom we behold
In weakened bodies and haunting faces of hungry folk.
Grant that we may not turn away but that we may find ways
To share your blessings that we've received
With those who do not have. Amen.

-Ben Keckler 11.28.07

Daily Devotions - Tuesday 11.27.07

Healing Words

“You who live in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
say to the Lord,
‘My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.’”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 91:1, 2)


Remembering:
God has been and is faithful.


Reflecting:
Our ancestors demonstrated their belief that God has been and is faithful, establishing a day solely for the purpose of giving thanks to God which we observed last Thursday.


Honoring:
As we remember and we reflect, may our lives be motivated to demonstrate fully, by word and deed, a spirit of thanksgiving to God — our refuge and fortress, the One in whom we trust.


A prayer: Holy God, may my life reflect a spirit of thanksgiving. Amen.


-Ben Keckler 11.27.07

Daily Devotions - Monday 11.26.07

Healing Words

“You who live in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
say to the Lord,
‘My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.’”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 91:1, 2)

One of the enjoyable, insightful writers of the past couple of decades was Madeleine L'Engle who died earlier this year. She offered these words for us to think about as we begin another week.

It is no coincidence that the root word of whole, health, heal, and holy is
hale (as in hale and hearty). If we are healed, we become whole; we are hale and hearty; we are holy.

The marvelous thing is that this holiness is nothing we can earn.
We don’t become holy by acquiring merit badges and Brownie points.
It has nothing to do with virtue or job descriptions or morality.
It is nothing we can do, in this do-it-yourself world.
It is gift, sheer gift, waiting there to be recognized and received.

A prayer: Holy One fill this week with people who are eagerly journeying toward being hale and hearty people. Amen.


-Ben Keckler 11.26.07

Daily Devotions - Friday 11.23.07

Thanksgiving

"O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever."
Psalm 107:1

The day after Thanksgiving is here. Throughout the week, we've focused on giving thanks and praise to God and to others. It is good to remember that hearty thanks and praise should always include a horizontal and a vertical dimension. The above verse from Psalm 107 is an excellent example of the vertical dimension of praise. Sadly, sometimes our thanks and praise never includes a vertical dimension. Thomas Merton wrote in Praying the Psalms this observation:

"Praise is cheap today. Everything is praised.
Soap, beer, toothpaste, …movie stars, the latest gadgets
...everything is constantly being praised.
And, since everything is praised with the
official hollow enthusiasm of a radio announcer,
it turns out in the end that nothing is praised. "

Merton made this observation 50 years ago. It appears we are having trouble getting the picture. True and lasting praise needs both dimensions. As we move away from our day set aside for thanksgiving and praise, we will move toward the various sacred holidays of faith-filled people. May you find opportunities to extend your praise and thanks both horizontally and vertically.

A prayer: For family, friends, all things that surround us, and for your steadfast love we are grateful, O great and mighty God. Amen.

Ben Keckler 11.23.07

Daily Devotions - Thursday 11.22.07

Thanksgiving

"I will praise you, my God, and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; God's greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 145: 1-3

It is Thanksgiving Day and some of you are offering your gifts of care giving to people who need special attention, your special touch. Bless you.

In the book Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom writes about the time he talked with Morrie about the perfect day. Morrie, facing his death, described his perfect day as a day spent with family and friends, a day with a walk in the park, a nice Italian dinner, a night of dancing and finally a deep, wonderful sleep. "It was so simple. So average. I was actually a little disappointed," Mitch writes.

For Morrie, it was a perfect day. Maybe this won't be a "perfect" Thanksgiving, but it can be a meaningful one. Take time, as give of yourself to those around you, and give God thanks for what is happening at that very moment. If you do, you may discover some new realities about what makes a day "perfect."

Thank you for the work you do today. Thanks be to God for your work.

Ben Keckler 11.22.07

Daily Devotions - Wednesday 11.21.07

Thanksgiving

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises."
Psalm 98:4

The theme of praise and thanksgiving is echoed throughout the Sacred Scriptures. Of all the people in this world, Americans are surrounded by numerous reasons to make a joyful noise of thanks to God. C. S. Lewis, well known author who made a tremendous journey of faith during his lifetime, called praise "inner health made audible."

One of his writings is titled Reflections on the Psalms. Here are some pertinent words for consideration this Thanksgiving:

"The humblest, and at the same time, most balanced and capacious minds, praised most while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least. The good critics found something to praise in many imperfect works; the bad ones continually narrowed the list of books we might be allowed to read. The healthy person, even if luxuriously brought up and widely experienced in good cookery, could praise a very modest meal; the dyspeptic and the snob found fault with all."

Let praise and thanksgiving sound forth from your lips this season. Break forth with positive notes of praise. We are blessed with bounty and God's goodness surrounds us always.

A prayer: For all your blessings, great and small, we praise thy name O Lord. Amen.

Ben Keckler 11.21.07

Daily Devotions - Tuesday 11.20.07

Thanksgiving

"For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth."
Psalm 47:2

The 47th Psalm is a song of thanksgiving that proclaims God as sovereign ruler of all the earth. Sometimes these songs have a flavor of God's blessing upon the good guys and God's curse upon the bad guys. Emphasizing nationalism as a primary theme seems to miss the mark. This verse states the broader picture: God is awesome, we are told. God is over all the earth.

These days nationalism runs high. Thousands and thousands of our citizens are defending values that we cherish. We should be thankful for these committed women and men. Giving thanks to God for them is important. Similarly, citizens of other lands are prepared to defend values that they cherish. Undoubtedly their fellow citizens are thankful for them.

It is important to remember that people the world over are praising God and thanking God today. For example, the Islamic holy writings teach, "Praise belongs to God, the Lord of all being, the All Compassionate, the Master of the Day of Doom." This world is filled with persons of many religious faiths. A central tenet of major religions is this: praise and thanks is due to the Creator of the universe.

In our thanksgiving this week, let's be thankful for our nation and its people. And, let's be thankful for a loving God who is "a great king over all the earth."

A prayer: God of the universe, receive my thanks today for every part and every person in your creation. Amen.--Ben Keckler 11.20.07

Daily Devotions - Monday 11.19.07

Thanksgiving

"Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud shouts of praise."
Psalm 47: 1

In a couple of days we will set aside a few hours for Thanksgiving. Hopefully your day will be more than feasting! Hopefully your day will include remembering. Hopefully your day will have some moments for authentic, soulful praise to God. Maybe you could take time to respond with applause as you recall stories from your family history of loved ones no longer with you. Maybe you could utter a loud shout of praise as you think about the many ways your life is blessed because you are living in America.

Praise and thanksgiving to God is central to life. Receive these words from Rabbi Abraham Heschel, noted writer and teacher, "No one attains faith without first achieving the prerequisites of faith. First we praise, then we believe. We begin with a sense of wonder and arrive at radical amazement. The first response is reverence and awe, openness to the mystery that surrounds, and we are led to be overwhelmed by the glory."

May your Thanksgiving week have enough time for you to clap your hands and shout your praises.

A prayer: God of life, may my life be filled with praise and thanksgiving all week. Amen.

--Ben Keckler 11.19.07

Daily Devotions - Friday 11.16.07

Prayers from Thankful People

“The Lord will indeed give what is good
and our land will yield its harvest.”
--A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 85:12)

As the rhythm of the fall moves us closer and closer to the holiday set aside for giving thanks, we will take a few moments each day with a prayer of faith. We conclude this week’s devotions with a prayer from the heart of Daniel J. McGill:

May God bless us not with clean air alone,
but the will to keep our air clean.
May God bless us not with a vision of a healthy planet alone,
but the will to do all in our power to restore and maintain our planet’s health.
May God bless us not with a change of heart in the great world leaders alone to save our planet,
but with a change in our own heart to use our own power to save the planet.
May the blessing of God not bring to us saints alone,
but make all of us saints greater than any we imagine.


Note: The prayers for this week’s devotions are from a collection of blessings, poems, and meditations from around the world entitled, Prayers for Healing.


--Ben Keckler
11-16-07

Daily Devotions - Thursday 11.15.07

Prayers from Thankful People

“The Lord will indeed give what is good
and our land will yield its harvest.”
--A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 85:12)

As the rhythm of the fall moves us closer and closer to the holiday set aside for giving thanks, we will take a few moments each day with a prayer of faith. Today’s prayer comes from the heart of British poet, Denise Levertov:

As swimmers dare
To lie face to the sky
And water bears them,

As hawks rest upon air
And air sustains them,

So would I learn to attain
Freefall, and float
Into Creator Spirit’s deep embrace,
Knowing no effort earns
That all-surrounding grace.


Note: The prayers for this week’s devotions are from a collection of blessings, poems, and meditations from around the world entitled, Prayers for Healing.


--Ben Keckler
11-15-07

Daily Devotions - Wednesday 11.14.07

Prayers from Thankful People

“The Lord will indeed give what is good
and our land will yield its harvest.”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 85:12)

As the rhythm of the fall moves us closer and closer to the holiday set aside for giving thanks, we will take a few moments each day with a prayer of faith. Today's prayer comes from the heart of Arlene E. Swanson:

God,
You who created our bodies and our minds,
I come to you now, trusting your healing presence.
It is you who fashioned our organs, bones, tissues and cells
To work together in harmony for your eternal purpose.
There is no disorder in you and your pattern for us is perfect.
I confess that I/we have misused the earth and this misuse impacts our bodies.
I confess that I/we misuse our emotions, minds and spirits
And this misuse brings pain and disruption to our lives.
Forgive me/us now for our wrongful use of your gifts.
Restore us by Your love to full harmony with Your perfect plan.
I/We know dis-ease is not your will for us.
Your love is unconditional. Yet pain is our teacher.
Open me/us to listen that we may again align ourselves with you.
Where we are unable to restore the earth to its perfection,
When we are unable to root out our mistakes of body and mind,
Nevertheless, be kind to us. Count our fumbling efforts as sufficient.
Restore us now to full health, according to your desire for us.
Bring harmony to our lives, to body, mind, and spirit.
We thank you now, trusting your love to bring our healing.


Note: The prayers for this week’s devotions are from a collection of blessings, poems, and meditations from around the world entitled, Prayers for Healing.


--Ben Keckler
11.14.07

Daily Devotions - Tuesday 11.13.07

Prayers from Thankful People

“The Lord will indeed give what is good
and our land will yield its harvest.”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 85:12)

As the rhythm of the fall moves us closer and closer to the holiday set aside for giving thanks, we will take a few moments each day with a prayer of faith. Today's prayer comes from the heart of Gail Brook Burket:

I do not ask to walk smooth paths or bear an easy load.
I pray for strength and fortitude to climb the rock-strewn road.
Give me such courage and I can scale the headiest peaks alone,
And transform every stumbling block into a stepping stone.

Note: The prayers for this week’s devotions are from a collection of blessings, poems, and meditations from around the world entitled, Prayers for Healing.


--Ben Keckler
11.13.07

Daily Devotions - Monday 11.12.07

Prayers from Thankful People

“The Lord will indeed give what is good
and our land will yield its harvest.”
-A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 85:12)

As the rhythm of the fall moves us closer and closer to the holiday set aside for giving thanks, we will take a few moments each day with a prayer of faith. Today's prayer comes from the Sioux Native Americans:

I come before you as one of your many children.
See, I am small and weak; I need your strength and wisdom.
Grant me to walk in beauty and that my eyes may ever behold the crimson sunset.
May my hands treat with respect the things which you have created,
May my ears hear your voice.
Make me wise, that I may understand the things which you have taught my people,
which you have hidden in every leaf and every rock.
I long for strength, not in order that I may overreach my brother
but to fight my greatest enemy—
myself.
Make me ever ready to come to you with pure hands and candid eyes,
So that my spirit, when life disappears like the setting sun,
May stand unashamed before you.


Note: The prayers for this week’s devotions are from a collection of blessings, poems, and meditations from around the world entitled, Prayers for Healing.


--Ben Keckler
11.12.07

Daily Devotions - Friday 11.09.07

"Responses from Our Souls"

“The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Psalm 46:11

This is a verse that everyone should ponder.

This brief sentence speaks volumes about the caregiver of this created vast universe. This brief sentence challenges us to focus on the big picture, "God is with us." This brief sentence suggests that we can find safety.

Conflict is rampant. There is our own internal conflict and, at a more visible level, there are the conflicts of the international political arena. It feels like there is no shelter. However, the Psalm writer concluded that there is a place to find safety, there is a place for refuge.

Many of us are concluding a week of hard work today. As we move through the weekend, whether at home or in the workplace, I encourage you to remember that God is with you; take refuge in that reality. Have a good day.

A prayer for today: May I see you more clearly and trust you more dearly day by day, O Mighty God. Amen.

Ben Keckler 11.09.07

Daily Devotions - Thursday 11.08.07

"Responses from Our Souls"

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46: 10

"Be still" we are told. How can we be still?

• There are leaves to rake and there is very little daylight left when we get home from work.
• There are only 47 more days until Christmas.
• Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
• There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
• And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.

"Be still" we are told. To claim some centering time each day, particularly when we realize that we aren't being still, is a healthy discipline. In Islamic religious practices, prayer times are scheduled throughout the day for people to be still. Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate. Henri Nouwen writes in Making All Things New, "We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure."

"Be still" we are told. May your day (and your coming days) have enough time in them for you to practice stillness!

A prayer for today: "Guide me to a quiet place, O God. Amen."

Ben Keckler 11.08.07

Daily Devotions - Wednesday 11.07.07

"Responses from Our Souls"

“The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."

How true it is! People of God from all the major religions believe that God, the Lord of hosts, is with them. How should we practice our faith these days? A response from the soul seems most appropriate. Soul language is not rhetoric. Soul language never makes the front pages of the newspapers. Soul language is simple stillness before God. Soul language is about transformation of our hearts. Soul language is about taking refuge and allowing the spirit of God to work. Soul language is taking time to lament the selfishness, greed and power that is part of the political process. Soul language is taking time to be thankful for a Creator who is still very much in love with the world. Many things around us can seem chaotic today. Rather than listening to the chaos, let's take the time to practice quietness in our souls today. Remember, "The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Ben Keckler
11.07.07

Daily Devotions - Tuesday 11.06.07

"Responses from Our Souls"

The Psalm (46) which we began yesterday, continues with "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change..." The rhythm of life is always one of change. Taking time to live fully in each moment is very important. Living each moment without fear is both a healthy and difficult thing to do. Often we rush through the change, filled with fear because our journey isn't what we were anticipating. Listen to this excerpt from Nicholas Wolterstorff in his Lament for a Son:

“….please: don’t say it’s not really so bad. Because it is.
Death is awful, demonic.
If you think your task as comforter is to tell me that really, all things considered,
It’s not so bad, you do not sit with me in my grief but place yourself off in the distance from me.
Over there, you are of no help.
What I need to hear from you is that you recognize how painful it is.
I need to hear from you that you are with me in my desperation.
To comfort me, you have to come close. Come sit beside me on my mourning bench.”

A prayer for today: God, listen to my crying and sit beside me. Amen.

Ben Keckler
11.06.07

Daily Devotions - Monday 11.05.07

"Responses from Our Souls"

If you happen to have access to a Bible, I would encourage you to read Psalm 46.

Have you ever attended a Memorial Service which can sometimes be called A Celebration of Life Service or a Home-going Service? It is a time to remember people we encountered on the journey of life, people we encountered in their dying, people we entrust to the God of Creation. The beginning words of the Psalm are also good to remember, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

People need time to express their rage and their pain, particularly in a time of loss. People who lament, generally are not tightfisted in their praise to God. How can this be? Just like a coin has two sides, so does the "coin of faith." I like to name the two sides on the "coin of faith" as lament and praise.

Lament is the grieving we experience and praise is the thanksgiving we offer. We lament as we remember. We are filled with gratitude as we remember. I invite you to join me in this affirmation: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Ben Keckler 11.05.07

Daily Devotions - Friday 11.02.07

Reflections on Little Gems

"When you open your heart, you open your mind."
Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne

"But if you seek the Lord your God,
You will find him if you look for him with all your heart."
An ancient Hebrew teaching from the Deuteronomist (4:29)

I submit two little gems for your meditation today and throughout the weekend. So many times I find people trying to "figure" out the hows, the whys — all the intellectual questions that tend to come when contemplating the Divine.

It appears that the intellectual answers only come when we get the "heart" where it needs to be. So, take the next 72 hours and just open your soul to the deepest truth I know: the Creator loves YOU!

Ben Keckler 11.02.07

Daily Devotions - Thursday 11.01.07

Reflections on the 23rd Psalm

The closing verse of the Psalm says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Two quotes inspired by the 23rd Psalm that feel right for today:

1. Attributed to Levi Yitzhak of Beditchev
Lord of the universe, I do not beg you to reveal to me The secret of your ways, for who am I to know them?
But show me one thing,
show it to me more clearly and more deeply,
show me what this which is happening
at this very moment means to me,
what it demands of me,
what you, Lord of the world,
are telling me by way of it.
Dear God, I do not ask you to take away my suffering;
I don't even want to know why I suffer;
But only this, my God;
Do I suffer for your sake?

2. Attributed to Julian of Norwich
God did not say,
"Thou shall not be tempted,
Thou shall not be travailed,
Thou shall not be diseased."
But God did say,
"Thou shall not be overcome."

May goodness and mercy follow you throughout the day and the approaching weekend.

Ben Keckler 11.01.07